‘Drunken’ traffic officer drives into pedestrian
It was clear as day that the officer was drunk.
A Randfontein traffic officer is accused of driving into a pedestrian while under the influence of alcohol.
This was on 22 November at approximately 5pm on the corner of Strawberry Street and Visrivier Street in Toekomsrus.
According to an eyewitness at the scene who does not wish to be named, the man in question was walking on the sidewalk when suddenly an officer drove into him.
“We rushed to the man’s aid and upon arrival, the officer smelled like a brewery.
“It was clear as day that he was drunk.
“He was rude when we told him that we think he was drunk and started throwing accusations that he had warned the man to move and give him the right of way,” says the resident.
He adds that the officer and the three colleagues who were with him in the car were quick to remove their name badges to avoid being identified by the crowd that rushed to the man’s aid.
“If someone does not immediately move out of the way, it does not give one the right to smash into them,” says the man.
The victim was taken to hospital and is said to be currently recovering in his home.
Meanwhile, the Herald has approached Randfontein Traffic Chief Kenny Mampondo who acknowledges receiving the complaint with regards to his traffic officers and says that the matter will be up for an investigation.
“Traffic officers cannot behave like that.
“I personally condemn behavior of this nature and these allegations will be investigated,” says Mampondo.
The Herald has also received information that police officers attended the scene and were seen to be ‘protecting’ their fellow officers of the law.
This cannot be confirmed at this stage but police spokesperson Captain Appel Ernst says that she will look into the allegations.
To get to the bottom of this, the Herald has submitted the number plates of the vehicles of both the police and traffic officers that were at the scene.
Watch this space as the story develops.
