Bad Cop Good Citizen Video goes Viral and Leads to Action
A video depicting South African police officers appearing to abuse a motorist – which went viral on Facebook Tuesday – has led to positive action. Within 12 hours of being uploaded by fellow motorist Carmen Bell, the post had been viewed over half a million times. Bell who didn’t know the motorist – Raymond van der […]
A video depicting South African police officers appearing to abuse a motorist – which went viral on Facebook Tuesday – has led to positive action.
Within 12 hours of being uploaded by fellow motorist Carmen Bell, the post had been viewed over half a million times. Bell who didn’t know the motorist – Raymond van der Merwe – pulled over as a conscientious citizen to film the disturbing scene she was witnessing, which occurred at the entrance to the Mall of Africa in the Midrand.
Carmen headed her post “UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT BY JMPD” and said while she was rummaging for her phone the officers “had already punched, pushed and kicked this person to the floor and the tall metro cop was hitting and kicking him on the ground”. She says the motorist was “physically assaulted” because he “refused to be arrested for not having number plates”. Carmen wrote that “this poor man [van der Merwe] was SO frightened he could barely speak” and that the tall policeman was “a shining example of the power trip that members of JMPD are on. It was disgusting and so scary to watch!”
The video was forwarded several times to Wayne Minnaar, Chief Superintendent and spokesperson for Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). Within hours he had contacted Carmen, and released the following statement:
“An investigation is underway by JMPD Internal Affairs Unit with regards to the video that is in circulation. A statement is needed from the motorist who is involved in the squabble. The number to dial is 0113755911.”
JMPD repeated later that “the Internal Affairs will make a determination on this matter. The Department needs a statement from the motorist.”
Carmen updated followers on her wall, saying: “So we are all quick to complain and share negative feedback so here is some positive on the video I loaded today: Wayne Minnaar has made contact to investigate what happened today and I salute him for this.
“He has stood up for the position he holds and I look forward to seeing this incident addressed. It goes to show that social media is a powerful tool and that if all South Africans work together, we can handle any situation.”
Watch Video: JMPD Officers threaten driver at entrance to Mall of Africa
(Please refresh your page if you cannot view the video, or watch the YouTube version at the bottom of this page.)
UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT BY JMPD. So I took this Video this morning at the entrance to the Mall of Africa. As I rummaged through my bag to get my phone out, these JMPD members had already punched, pushed and kicked this person to the floor and the tall metro cop was hitting and kicking him on the ground. From the video you see how they physically assaulted this person after he refused to be arrested for not having number plates (not sure what the law states regarding whether driving without number plates is a criminal offence or just warrants a fine?). Either way, the tall officer then threatens this person and proceeds to "steal" his vehicle and drives off only to return when the other officers warn him that I am videoing. The female officer also wanted me to stop recording but I duly explained that it is my legal right to video an assault on a member of public. I gave my card to this gentleman so not sure of his name but this completely unacceptable. This poor man was SO frightened he could barely speak because he was ganged up on by 3 officers.The tall officer was blatant in his physical abuse and he is a shining example of the power trip that members of JMPD are on. It was disgusting and so scary to watch!
Posted by Carmen Bell on Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Some Facebook users welcomed Minnaar’s fast action, although a few pointed out that physically pushing a motorist (which can be seen in the very first few seconds of the video) is more than just a “squabble”, and that “abuse by cops is really not acceptable…if the individual was arrogant or abusive, [the cops] should’ve still maintained their cool and knew how to handle the situation!”
One said: “Training training training and common sense. Officials should know how to deal with these kind of situations.”
As of 1 April 2016, all traffic officers will have to undergo three years’ training and metro police officers will have to undergo a further six months’ training.
JMPD also issued news today that a taxi driver had been arrested for “bumping over a metro police officer” in City Deep. According to JMPD, “the officer tried to stop the taxi during a stop and search operation but the taxi failed to stop and ran over the officer who had died soon after arrival at Milpark Hospital.”
JMPD announced that a total of 22 taxi drivers were arrested this morning during Operation Kwanele (#EnoughIsEnough) by Gauteng Traffic Police, SAPS and JMPD for driving recklessly and driving on the wrong side of the road. Eight taxis were also impounded, 20 unroadworthy taxis were issued with discontinue notices and a total of 126 fines were issued for other misdemeanours.
In other social media “watchdog” news, a racist video that was filmed and uploaded by a driver in Port Elizabeth is under investigation. In the video the motorist deliberately knocks over a pizza delivery guy and rants using racist and vulgar language.
In the following video, uploaded by The Herald PE, the delivery guy talks about the video and how “tears came into my eyes when I saw the video on YouTube”.