By Kaya 959 News
The Gauteng Traffic Police have distanced themselves from a viral video of an apparent officer assaulting a driver. The GTP said the man is not one of theirs and called him a ‘bogus’ cop.
“We can confirm that he is definitely not one of our officers. He could either be a bogus cop or else he could be from the North West Traffic Police but he is not one of us,” GTP spokesperson, Sello Maremane, said.
In the short clip, posted on social media, the man is seen shouting at a driver. He then goes to pick up a pair of sunglasses which he throws into the car. Seconds later, he strikes the man on the face.
READ: Gauteng cops feature in top 3 of ‘SA cops behaving badly’ report
How did we get here? pic.twitter.com/YWAqFXvq2L
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) May 30, 2021
The incident reportedly took place near Hartbeespoort. The GTP said they did not have any operations in the area.
They also checked the registration number of the vehicle and later tweeted that it was a fake GTP vehicle.
FAKE GTP VEHICLE SPOTTED HARTEBEESPOORT AREA
GGX410G 29May2021
ToyotaCorolla.Partial markings
Roof mounted EmergencyLamps
Call @SAPoliceService 10111 if Spotted,Tipoffs to CRIMESTOP 0860010111 @MbalulaFikile @NTACU_RTMC @FaithMazibukoSA @Abramjee @GP_CommSafety @crimeairnetwork pic.twitter.com/2EkN1sTfv2— GTP Gauteng Traffic Police (@GTP_Traffstats) May 30, 2021
“The vehicle with that reg is not in service and is not the same model. We really need the community to expose the location and details of the fake vehicle and occupants,” the GTP said.
“Officer” not wearing a badge
The officer in the video is also not wearing a badge and has a surgical mask on.
After the altercation, the ‘officer’ pulls out his gun and cocks it before pointing it at the driver.
A passenger in the vehicle, a woman, filmed the ordeal.
The woman urges the man to drive off and they leave.
The Road Traffic Management Corporations confirmed that they were investigating further.
“This is nothing but an act of pure criminality and thuggery. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and deserves the strongest censure,” the RTMC said.
It added that they are investigating to authenticate if the man was indeed a traffic officer.
The RTMC urged members of the public not to tolerate such conduct and to lay charges when confronted by such a situation.
Anyone with more information on this case is requested to contact the RTMC on the WhatsApp number 0832937989 or email [email protected]
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Fake cops kidnap man
Earlier this month, two men were arrested after pretending to be police officers and allegedly kidnapping a man and extorting money from him.
Police said the man was walking in Mayfair when he was stopped by three men, pretending to be police officers.
SAPS spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele, said the 35-year-old was bundled into their vehicle and they demanded R2 000 to release him.
The man contacted his brother who managed to raise R1100 and informed the police about the incident.
Mbele said the brother met the fake cops in Mayfair to hand over the money.
Police were able to get the victim and arrest two of the ‘cops’.
Mbele said they were charged with impersonating a police officer, kidnapping and extortion.
