Motorist arrested for assaulting a traffic officer
"This is not a ‘banana’ republic and we cannot allow law breakers to rule us and put the lives of innocent citizens in danger. Officers must not turn a blind eye to such behaviour. People who disrupt the operations of law enforcers must be arrested."
MBOMBELA – A motorist who assaulted a traffic officer was arrested this morning at the Karino junction. According to information provided by the traffic officers, the suspect was approached by an official after he parked his vehicle in an oncoming traffic lane on Tuesday.
The traffic officer requested to see his driver’s licence with the intent to issue a fine. In the process the suspect drove off, with his licence still in the officer’s possession. This morning the suspect parked his vehicle at the Karino junction and assaulted one of the officials standing next to the road. Officers on duty intervened and arrested the driver.
The suspect was taken to the Nelspruit Police Station and is facing charges of failing to comply with instructions given by a traffic officer, stopping in an oncoming traffic lane, intimidation, assaulting an on-duty traffic officer, resisting arrest, and failing to give information to a peace officer.
Mr Vusi Shongwe MEC for community safety, security and liaison commends the traffic officers for the arrest. Shongwe added that such behaviour could not be tolerated in the province and law-enforcement officers should apply force when motorists fail to comply. According to Shongwe, motorists who intimidate law-enforcement officers put the lives of other motorists at risk.
“This is not a ‘banana’ republic and we cannot allow law breakers to rule us and put the lives of innocent citizens in danger. Officers must not turn a blind eye to such behaviour. People who disrupt the operations of law enforcers must be arrested,” Shongwe concluded.
