Footage of supposedly drunk traffic cop goes viral
The traffic officer who was caught allegedly drunk on camera while in full uniform is under investigation.
Videos circulating on social media has the residents of Lydenburg hot under the collar. These clearly show a seemingly intoxicated traffic officer on duty. According to the owners and employees at the Swembad Shopping Centre, other traffic officers were also lounging and drinking in their vehicles. The incident occurred on Thursday March 11 while the officers were stopping motorists to check motor vehicle and drivers’ licences. In another video, a woman can be heard saying in Afrikaans, “You can smell the alcohol on him.” In the video, one can see the relevant traffic officer being disorientated and stumbling through a shop before he staggers outside and sits down on a chair with his head hanging. The Freedom Front Plus sent an urgent letter to the provincial MEC for safety, security and liaison, Vusi Shongwe, to thoroughly investigate the matter and to report back to the Legislature. “In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the relevant traffic officer’s conduct is in contravention of his civil responsibility and he should be suspended pending the findings of the investigation. If he is found guilty, decisive action must be taken against him. It is a shame that the public is expected to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations while the officers violate the law,” said Werner Weber, Freedom Front Plus member of parliament and provincial leader. The spokesperson of the provincial Department of Community Safety and Security, Moeti Mmusi, confirmed they received the footage of the traffic officer in question. “This is not behaviour we as a department condone. And this is not how we want to see our traffic officers in public. We must investigate this and will be able to fully comment after we reviewed a full report. We are committed to ensure that the lives of our communities and their safety is of paramount importance.”
