GEORGE NEWS - An internal investigation is underway after a provincial traffic officer allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm, the stray bullet narrowly missing a bystander, in the KFC parking area in Courtenay Street.
The incident occurred after a motorcyclist was pulled over for allegedly making an illegal U-turn in the street on Saturday 25 March.
According to unconfirmed information, the motorcyclist and a passenger, his wife, were driving towards KFC from the direction of Outeniqua High School when he made a U-turn around the island in Courtenay Street in front of KFC.
Traffic officers pulled over the motorcyclist and approached him in the parking area where they arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
"He did everything they asked him to do," said an eyewitness. During his arrest the motorcyclist declared that he had a loaded firearm in his possession and offered to disarm it before he handed it over to the officers. The traffic officer apparently declined and proceeded to remove the firearm and holster from the man.
"While the traffic officer was trying to disarm it himself, the weapon was discharged and the stray bullet missed the guy's wife's foot by millimetres," said the eyewitness.
Provincial traffic officers on the scene while the motorcyclist is being arrested.
Chaos
According to the witness everyone was calm and the situation was under control until the gunshot went off. Then pandemonium erupted.
"I think everyone was in shock. The woman was in shock because she was nearly shot, her husband was in shock because his wife was nearly shot and everyone else was in disbelief. That bullet could've hit anyone. What if it hit her [the wife]? What if it ricocheted and hit someone else?
"The woman was horrified and the traffic officer kept on telling her to calm down. She asked him how could she calm down as he nearly shot her and they're arresting her husband," said the eyewitness.
Traffic officers on the scene Saturday night, 25 March.
Decision pending
Spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works Jandré Bakker confirmed the incident and said that an internal investigation has been launched.
"The decision on what further action will be taken lies with the Senior Public Prosecutor once all the facts have been gathered and the investigation has been completed," he said.
More feedback from the department will follow when the outcome of the investigation is known.
Traffic officers carrying out the arrest.
Two cases investigated
Two cases are currently under investigation by the police following the incident.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that the motorcyclist was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and released the following day on a warning to be in court on 26 September.
"It is further alleged that the suspect handed a firearm to the traffic officer. In the process to safeguard the firearm it was discharged. Police were dispatched to the scene and on arrival seized the firearm.
"The police members also opened a case of unlawful discharge of firearm in a built-up area or public place," said Spies.
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