Ekurhuleni Metro Police have launched investigations into an incident on Wednesday where an officer was involved in an altercation with a motorist on the R24 in Edenvale.
A video filmed by Diederick Stopforth (see below) spread like wildfire on social media the past few days.
Stopforth said he was driving with his girlfriend on the R24 when they spotted a truck that was obstructing traffic. “I drove around the truck and was pulled to the side by two traffic officers. One of the officers came to my car. He checked our vehicle and realised that everything was in order.
“He was asking why I drove around the truck as he leaned inside my car. He saw that my girlfriend was recording his actions with her cellphone and took my driver’s licence, saying he would teach us a lesson,” said Stopforth.
Stopforth followed the officer, demanding his licence, while recording the incident with his phone.
His video shows a uniformed traffic police officer who was not wearing a name tag. The officer looks into the camera as Stopforth asks for his driver’s licence, then smacks it out of his hands.
“He continued to insult me and threw my girlfriend’s phone to the ground, before handing me back my licence,” said Stopforth.
“The EMPD views the incident in a very serious light, said Lt Col Wilfred Kgasago, metro police spokesman.
“The complainant has opened a criminal case at Edenvale Police Station and has met with the EMPD’s Integrity and Standards Unit.
“The EMPD has immediately started with investigations. We appeal to anyone who can assist with the investigation to come forward. The outcome of the investigation will determine further action that should be taken,” Kgasago added.
https://www.facebook.com/diederick.stopforth/videos/1256245547828085/
Bedfordview/Edenvale News reported this was the second incident of this nature reported in three days.
The first incident occurred on March 12. It is alleged that a motorist was assaulted by an EMPD officer after the officer claimed that the motorist had failed to stop at a stop street along Terrace Road.
“When there were other people at the scene, the officer was saying things like, ‘Sir please get up’. This after we saw him strike the old man from behind,” a witness to the March 12 incident told the NEWS.
Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso, spokesperson of Sebenza SAPS, said two cases of common assault were opened following the first incident. She said both the motorist and the EMPD officer opened cases against each other.
Kgasago says if a member of the public finds themselves in a similar situation they can report it to him on 083 652 9914 or at wilfred.kgasago@ekurhuleni.gov.za
