WATCH: SA police officer arrested for drunk driving
SAPS Gauteng Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni has thanked community members who reported a police office for driving a state vehicle while drunk.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng has charged a cop stationed at Etwatwa for driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.
A video circulating on social media platforms shows the SAPS member intoxicated inside a police-marked vehicle.
SAPS CHARGES DRUNK COP IN VIRAL VIDEO
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed that they investigated the incident.
It has since been confirmed that the marked vehicle belongs to Etwatwa Police Station in Ekurhuleni, and a police constable attached to the same police station drove it.
Masondo said that the cop in the video was not authorised to drive the state vehicle at the time.
“An immediate action was taken, and the member has since been charged criminally with offences that include driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving a state vehicle without the owner’s consent, as well as reckless and negligent driving. A departmental case has also been opened against the member,” he explained.
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COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS INCIDENT
SAPS Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni thanked the community members who brought this mischievous behaviour to the attention of the police management.
Mthombeni said the police officer’s behaviour would not be tolerated.
“Police resources, including police vehicles, are meant to serve the community and accelerate service delivery. The abuse and misuse of state resources will not be tolerated,” Mthombeni.
DRUNK POLICE OFFICER KNOCKS DOWN A BIKER
In recent years, police officers have been making headlines for the wrong reasons.
In May 2023, another cop was charged after he allegedly knocked down a biker with his private vehicle.
The officer was reportedly off-duty at the time and a video of the incident which reportedly happened in Proclamation Hill, Pretoria West was widely circulated on social media platforms.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the management of the police in Gauteng has noted with disappointment the video circulating on social media where a drunk off duty member in uniform hit a civilian with his private vehicle.
Then Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela also condemned the irresponsible and disgraceful behaviour in the strongest terms.
“A criminal case of drunk and driving and an internal case in terms of the disciplinary regulations are instituted against the member and he will face the consequences of his actions,” Mawela said.
In a separate incident, a video of a marked police van driving negligently along the N3 Highway in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal went viral on social media platforms.
In the video, a marked police van could be seen driving at high speed, disregarding the rules of the road and bumping other vehicles in the process.
The SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed that the driver in question is a 35-year-old Sergeant who was stationed at Newcastle K9.
“The officer was arrested on 13 January 2023 on charges of drunken and negligent driving. Internal disciplinary actions have already been instituted against him and the process is ongoing.”