THE police officer caught on camera driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol has been identified and arrested, with disciplinary processes underway.
The 35-year-old sergeant, stationed in Newcastle, KZN, was bust on 13 January on charges of drunken and negligent driving after his video went viral.
On cellphone footage on social media, he appeared with a marked police van driving at high speed, disregarding the rules of the road and bumping into other cars.
Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi applauded the resident who took the video along the N3 Highway in Pietermaritzburg.
“Internal disciplinary actions have been instituted against him. I strongly condemn the actions of the sergeant, who was on duty. His behaviour is barbaric, unprofessional and uncalled for,” he said.
Mkhwanazi said that there was no space for officers who disregarded the law.
“We can’t afford to have members whose behaviour and actions seek to reverse all the gains that hardworking officers have attained in restoring people’s trust.”
Mkhwanazi further said his case study would serve as a deterrent to other officers who may have had delusional thoughts that internal disciplinary actions had gone soft.
He urged residents to continue reporting the unprofessional behaviour of officers on duty.
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“No officer must transport his children to and from school in a state vehicle. No officer is allowed to do shopping with a state vehicle. Such rogue elements must be reported and proportionate actions will be taken. Officers must uphold professional standards and state resources, including vehicles, must be used with responsibility.”
Mkhwanazi added that unprofessional behaviour, illegal actions and disservice to the community could be reported via CrimeStop on 08600 10111, or My SAPS app.
