Gauteng Traffic Dept Says Officer in Viral Slapping Video Is Not Theirs
- The Gauteng Traffic Department has distanced itself from a 'traffic officer' who slapped a Bentley motorist
- Department spokesperson Sello Maremane said the unidentified cop is definitely not employed by the Provincial Department of Community Safety
- A video of the cop in full uniform is doing the rounds on social media and many people want him found and fired over the seriously violent and shocking behaviour seen in the clip
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The Gauteng Traffic Department has reportedly said that the 'traffic officer' seen in a viral clip slapping a Bentley driver is not theirs. The department said the cop in the clip doing the rounds on social media is not employed by the Provincial Department of Community Safety.
Department spokesperson Sello Maremane said the uniform the 'officer' was wearing when the incident occurred is not the same uniform issued to the province's traffic officers.
According to TimesLIVE, Maremane added that the incident had not happened in Gauteng. The publication said the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has also launched an investigation into the incident.
Cape Talk reported that South Africans shared that they want the unidentified officer found and fired.
The public reacts
Social media users have shared mixed reactions to the conduct of the 'traffic officer'. Check out some of their comments below:
@OzalwauMaMnguni said:
"There's more to this... What did he do? Or are we not supposed to ask that question in this case also! I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that he probably disrespected the officer very badly!"
@LunghieDwue commented:
"Maybe the driver was under the influence of alcohol, he must have said something to the officer.Whatever it is, clearly it was not good."
@BlackPain12 wrote:
"As sickening as it appears, we need to know what triggered it. I hate police brutality but there are always two sides of the story."
Politician Mzwanele Manyi said:
"This traffic cop thug should be brought to book for unprofessional conduct, assault, intimidation, pointing a firearm, putting his department into disrepute. He deserves to be fired and jailed."
@mbele_lnb added:
"After the humiliating slap, the traffic officer cocks a gun at the driver. The height of aggressive, bullying & intimidating behaviour. This angry traffic cop must be found, sanctioned & relieved of his duties. 'Protect & serve' that’s the basic tenet of the job."
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Minister Fikile Mbalula reacts
In related news, Briefly News reported earlier that a local motorist was assaulted by a traffic cop at a routine traffic stop and the horrific incident was caught on camera by the driver's flustered passenger.
Although the man and woman in the vehicle have not yet been identified, it's reported the incident took place around Hartebeesport, Gauteng. From the onset it's clear the officer is agitated, yelling at the passengers before eventually slamming the driver's door.
He then proceeds to slap the motorist, leaving behind a visible scratch mark, before pulling a gun on the terrified couple and demanding that they leave.
Minister Fikile Mbalula has since inquired about the details of the incident. Mzansi social media users were left in shock and took to the comments section to share their thoughts.
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Source: Briefly News