A Gauteng traffic officer has sparked outrage on social media, after he was caught on camera in a heated confrontation with a motorist.
Watch: Gauteng traffic officer shoots motorist
As reported by crime expert Yusuf Abramjee, the incident took place recently at a township in the East Rand. The video that’s gone viral starts right after the officer, whose identity remains unknown at this time, allegedly shot the motorist in the leg.
According to the onlooker who filmed the entire ordeal, the officer and the motorist came to blows in a heated road rage incident. From what we understand, the Gauteng traffic officer had confronted the motorist for parking illegally on the side of a road.
Things quickly escalated and, out of nowhere, the officer allegedly punctured the motorist’s tyres. In retaliation, the man, who was driving his father’s vehicle, approached the officer’s car and removed keys from the ignition.
This is when, it’s believed, the motorist was shot in the leg and manhandled. The video ends abruptly as the officer is seen trampling on the motorist and pressing his boots on the man’s chest.
This is video 1/2 featured on #CrimeWatch @eNCA DSTV403 last night. The incident took place on the East Rand recently. The @GTP_Traffstats shot the victim in the leg and damaged his father’s car. He has still not been suspended. @GP_CommSafety @FaithMazibukoSA pic.twitter.com/DEzwnSy65m
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 16, 2022
The officer’s abrasive behaviour was exhibited in another viral clip posted by Abramjee on Twitter.
During a traffic stop on a busy road in the East Rand, the officer was filmed manhandling a taxi passenger for simply asking for his change after the driver, it seems, was informed to not continue with the trip.
Passengers watched on in horror as the officer swung on the defenceless man, kicking him in full view of his colleague, who did nothing to intervene.
This is another incident involving the same @GTP_Traffstats officer. @GTP_Traffstats says both incidents are under investigation. https://t.co/mWinbEkN6V pic.twitter.com/hPdtEvFFql
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 16, 2022
The Gauteng Traffic Department has yet to issue a formal statement on the grotesque behaviour exhibited by the officer. However, from what we understand, the incidents noted above are, according to Abramjee, under investigation.