SEDIBENG.- Gauteng Traffic Police condemn the reckless behaviour of a driver after failing to comply with a lawful instruction.

 This follows an arrest of a 38-year-old male yesterday for reckless and negligent driving, failure to obey a lawful instruction from a traffic officer and driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

The incident took place at De Deur, Rose Road in the vicinity of Meyerton.

Sello Maremane, Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson said that a member of Gauteng Traffic Police stopped the vehicle after noticing that the vehicle had no registration plate in front. It is alleged that the driver intentionally and negligently failed to stop after instructed to do so and in the process hit the legs of an officer. The officer sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical attention in a nearby health care facility.

The other officers who were on board patrolling in the area pursued the suspect and managed to stop him. Upon stopping the suspect, the officers screened him and found that he was driving under the influence of alcohol with homemade alcohol also found in his possession. The detection from the breathalyzer confirmed that the suspect was intoxicated at 0.79 milligram which is three times over the prescribed legal limit of 0.24 milligram per 100 milliliters.

The suspect was arrested on the spot and is currently detained at De Deur police station. He is expected to appear in Meyerton Magistrate Court shortly to face charges relating to driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to obey a lawful instruction from an officer amongst others.

 “Incidents of these nature will never be allowed to prevail under our watch. Officers of the law are supposed to be respected at all costs since they are there to protect and serve our communities. The law enforcement authorities will continue to root out barbaric behaviour from heartless drivers who are hellbent on abusing and ill-treating our officers,” said Maremane.