A Gauteng traffic police officer who was caught on video manhandling a man after allegedly shooting him, has been put on precautionary suspension.
"We are aware of the video and indeed, the officer is in the employment of our department.
"The department has since decided to put the officer in question on precautionary suspension, pending the final outcome of the case," Gauteng Traffic spokesperson Sello Maremane said.
In the video, which was shared on social media, the officer can be seen cocking his gun and stepping on the man, who is lying in the road.
The narrator of the video can be heard saying that the officer shot the driver in the leg after a fight.
"It isn't right for him to step on this guy like this," he said.
(WARNING: Not for sensitive viewers)
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 can then be seen dragging the man across the road, leaving him on the pavement and stepping on his head.
Maremane added: "The department encourages our law enforcement officers to conduct their lawful duties in line with the Constitution of South Africa. This case was just an isolated incident which needed to be thoroughly investigated as our traffic officers act in a lawful manner when carrying out their lawful duties."
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