Two officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) have been placed on precautionary suspension after a video surfaced showing them in a physical altercation with a motorist.
The incident, which took place last Friday near Southgate Mall in Johannesburg, has sparked both an internal investigation and criminal probes.
RTMC Officer Punches Motorist
The widely circulated video shows a man with a bleeding nose involved in a heated confrontation with two RTMC officers. The man, wearing shorts and a black shirt, is heard accusing the officers of demanding a bribe, saying, “It’s alright, take the van keys — because you want money? You want the van’s key?” He repeatedly refuses to hand over his van keys, stating, “Take me, it’s fine. I am fighting for my [keys] because I can’t give you money.”
One officer is seen using foul language and hitting the man. In a subsequent interview with SABC on Wednesday, RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane confirmed that an investigation is underway.
Apparently, this happened near South Gate Mall, in Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/yjP959X0nv
— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) October 9, 2024
“We have suspended the officers as a precaution while the investigation is ongoing,” Zwane said.
Criminal Investigations Launched
Zwane also mentioned that criminal charges have been filed by both the officers and the motorist. Describing the footage as “shocking,” he emphasized that such behavior is not acceptable from law enforcement personnel.
“Even when force is necessary, it must be proportionate to the threat being faced,” Zwane explained.
He assured the public that appropriate actions will follow once all facts are reviewed.
Concerns Over Police Behavior and Public Trust
The incident has raised concerns about police misconduct and its effect on public confidence in law enforcement. The motorist claims he was assaulted for refusing to pay a bribe after allegedly running a stop sign. Without the video, he believes he would have been wrongly arrested for assaulting the officers and damaging property.
Zwane acknowledged the negative impact on public trust, saying, “We are working to restore public trust.” He also stressed the importance of a thorough investigation to determine what led up to the incident, adding, “We do not condone our officers assaulting any motorist or member of the public.”
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