WATCH: Investigations launched after TMPD vehicle hits alleged suspect and two TMPD officials

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has reacted to an incident caught on camera where a suspect and two TMPD officials were hit by a TMPD vehicle in a freak accident that occurred in Hammanskraal.

The incident occurred on Friday, January 12.

The video doing the rounds on social media depicts two TMPD officers arresting a suspect who looked like he was resisting arrest, then minutes later, a TMPD bakkie hits the suspect and the officials. Read: https://t.co/pN6V05lI9V pic.twitter.com/N8Ujqayzz8

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The video doing the rounds on social media depicts two TMPD officers arresting a suspect who looked like he was resisting arrest, then minutes later, a TMPD bakkie hits the suspect and the officials.

Before the accident, the suspect could be heard on the video asking the officers to allow him to pee, however, one officer said, “ You will only be allowed to relieve yourself at the police station”.

Then a TMPD bakkie comes at high speed and hits the man and the officers.

The officers seem uninjured, but the man can be seen lying on the ground.

The video has raised a lot of eyebrows on social media, with some people labelling the incident police brutality, as the video shows a TMPD officer swearing and hitting the cellphone of the bystander recording the incident.

TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba confirmed the incident and that the members on the video are indeed from the TMPD.

“On Friday, after failing to stop and interfering with the duties of the TMPD, this incident was caught on camera and has since been circulating on social media,” Mahamba said.

He said at this stage the TMPD is in the process of assigning the case to an investigating officer internally and will obtain official statements from the members involved.

Mahamba said TMPD will report this incident to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to conduct their investigation.

“As stipulated by law, we are required to report every incident which involves police officers to IPID and as a department, we will cooperate fully with their investigation.”

Mahamba confirmed that TMPD officers were injured during the incident.

“The perpetrator and the two officers were taken to hospital immediately, where they received treatment and were discharged on the same day.”

He said after treatment, the perpetrator was taken to Temba Police Station and detained, along with the driver and the other passenger of the vehicle in which he had been travelling.

“Charges against them include failing to comply with the instruction of a traffic officer, interfering with the duties of a traffic officer, crimen injuria and resisting arrest.”

Mahamba said the department regrets the incident and the impression created by the video on social media.

“We are confident that the necessary investigations are underway to investigate and bring the matter to a close. We request members of the public who might have witnessed this scene to come forward for us to obtain their statements.”

He said members who witnessed the scene can also contact TMPD on 012 358 7095/7096 to provide their statements.

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