WATCH: Video released of Mogale City traffic cop being beaten

A video of a traffic officer being assaulted during a routine road stop in Mogale City in the West Rand has gone viral.

William Nchefu, Head of Mogale City’s Traffic Department, confirmed the incident to Krugersdorp News.

He explained that the traffic officer pulled over a taxi during a routine traffic stop on Friday, 14 August. The taxi did not have a valid licence, Nchefu said, and there were other problems with the vehicle as well.

The driver of the taxi and the passengers then got out of the vehicle. Nchefu explained that the driver wanted to leave but the officer would not allow him because of the issues with his vehicle.

I am dumbfounded.

I really hope that the @SAPoliceService will step up here.

This is bad….. unbelievable pic.twitter.com/SEU80CtWni

— Engineer Matšhela Koko, MBL (@koko_matshela) August 24, 2020

The man then assaulted the officer. The video shows the officer stumbling and falling twice, and the taxi driver hitting him every time he gets back up.

Nchefu confirmed that the officer was taken to hospital and added that although the video stopped at a certain point, it is believed that the second traffic officer was also assaulted by the group.

We are disappointed in motorists. Our officers are there to do their job and we expect cooperation from the public. We are especially disappointed in the members of the public who can be heard encouraging the man assaulting the officer,” said Nchefu.

He said an investigation was under way and that one person had been arrested following the incident. He was, however, released on bail.