Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, MEC Vusi Shongwe commends traffic officers for arresting a motorist who assaulted a traffic officer who was on duty this morning, 5 February 2015.
According to information provided by the traffic officers, on 3 February 2015 the suspect was approached by a traffic officer after he stopped his vehicle on an oncoming traffic lane. The traffic officer requested his driving license intending to issue a fine.
In the process of issuing the driver with the fine, the suspect drove off, leaving his driving license with the traffic officer.
Today, the man saw traffic officers at the Karino junction and stopped his car to assault one of the traffic officers standing next to the road monitoring traffic. Other traffic officers who were there intervened and arrested the driver.
The suspect was taken to the Nelspruit Police Station and is facing charges including failing to comply with instructions given by a traffic officer, stopping on an oncoming traffic lane, intimidation, assaulting an on-duty traffic officer, resisting arrest, and failing to give information to a Peace Officer.
MEC Shongwe says such behaviour cannot be tolerated in the province and law enforcement officers must apply force when motorists fail to comply.
According to MEC Shongwe, motorists who intimidate law enforcement officers on duty put the lives of other motorists in danger.
“This is not a ‘banana’ republic and we cannot allow law breakers to rule us and put the lives of innocent citizens in danger. Officers must not turn a blind eye to such behaviours, people who disrupt the operations of law enforcers must be arrested,” says Shongwe.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za
