“Sorry Not Sorry”: Driver Triggers SA After Marking Police As “Not There” on Waze While Passing Them

• A Waze moment shows a driver passing the police while using the Waze app’s reporting feature
• Police give their take on whether crowdsourced police alerts help or harm road safety
• Social media reactions swing between jokes, criticism, and questions about accountability

A driver has left South Africans divided after reporting that police were 'not there' on the Waze app as he passed them. Many South Africans were not amused, while others were left laughing.

In the Facebook video posted on 05 May 2026, Gift Makoti drives past traffic police on the road, as a Waze pop-up message shows up asking him if the police are still there. He confidently chooses the option of not being there. His on screen-text reads:

"POV: Fixing the country one report at a time. Sorry, not sorry."

Police raise concerns over Waze feature

Waze allows users to share real-time updates about road conditions, including the location of police officers. Some law enforcement officials argue that this functionality could be misused by criminals to monitor police movements, avoid checkpoints, or potentially plan attacks, raising fears that it may endanger officers’ lives.

Read also

“Stop supporting them:" Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma calls for boycott of foreign-owned spaza shops

However, Waze contributes to road safety by encouraging more cautious driving when users are aware of nearby police presence. Supporters of the app argue that it provides valuable traffic information, reduces congestion, and can even improve emergency response efficiency. While police groups have called for changes or removal of the feature, Waze maintains that there is no clear evidence that it increases risk and that its overall impact is positive for road safety.

View Facebook post below:

SA drivers debate Waze reports

South Africans are debating Waze’s police-reporting feature after users shared mixed reactions online. This is what Mzansi said on Gift's page:

Rob Master Mabowa said:

"This one used to compile a list of noise makers in primary school."

Pontsho Oscar Manthata wrote:

"Put your hand on your chest and say 'ke moloi"

Meluc Prince Peerless noted:

"What I like about Waze is that it doesn’t rely on one person but requires the majority of you to say the same thing."

Sayeshan Pillay exclaimed:

“Ma’am, you didn’t check our homework.”

Rea Chaane commented:

"I always report still there even though they’re not. I'm not going to drive 60 alone."

Fezile Mamfengwana stated:

"Uyinja Chilli Bite"

King Mcmullar asked:

"Why, man?"

Phathu Tshedzo Mulaudzi said:

"It's witchcraft what you're doing."

More Briefly News Stories on driving

Read also

“Only in Boksburg”: viral clip of Boksburg North altercation sparks SA reaction

• A driver of a Tesla Cybertruck ended up in a river, sparking widespread online reactions and debate over the incident’s accuracy and how it happened.
• A South African couple documenting their long-term road trip through Scotland faced a setback on day 317 after accidentally buying the wrong vehicle parts, delaying their journey and drawing mixed reactions online.
• A viral video shows a driver texting while behind the wheel before crashing multiple times in a terrifying highway accident caught on camera, sparking renewed warnings about the dangers of distracted driving.

Source: Briefly News