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By Robin-Lee Francke 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – A police officer from Khayelitsha, Cape Town has gone viral on social media for the wrong reasons.
The sheriff is alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly drove his police van in the back of a taxi on Wednesday.
In the video recorded by a passenger, the police officer can be seen approaching the taxi driver and hitting him.
The taxi driver gets out and walks towards the police officer as a plainclothes woman gets out of the police van and approaches the couple.
Words are exchanged, and then the taxi driver head-butts the officer.
The pair begin fighting on the road as traffic passes. The taxi driver hits the officer and even spits in his face.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, provincial police spokesman Brigadier General Novela Potelwa confirmed that the officer has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving.
She said police management in the province was shocked when they learned of the videos and recordings circulating on social media of one of their officers involved in a car accident and a fight with a taxi driver from Khayelitsha.
“On Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020, police officers from the Lingelethu West Police Station who were busy with a vehicle checkpoint on Spine Road were alerted to two vehicles that were involved in an accident in Ilitha Park (not far from where the members were) which led to an altercation between the two drivers.
“The report indicated that one of the vehicles was a marked police van. Upon arrival they found the two damaged vehicles and a SAPS member in uniform who appeared unsteady on his feet.
“Lingelethu West police officers took him in for examination. He was later charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as reckless and negligent driving, ”said Potelwa.
She said the 33-year-old officer is a member of the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) and is stationed at the Khayelitsha Site B police station.
Potelwa said that an internal disciplinary investigation has been launched and that the taxi driver, whose identity is known, will be interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
She said SAPS management condemned the misconduct of her police officer and will make sure there are consequences for her actions.
“At the same time, the taxi driver’s conduct is the subject of police investigation.
“Police officers are reminded to keep the SAPS name at all times in the way they conduct themselves,” added Potelwa.
African News Agency / ANA
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