GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality is investigating a recent incident involving a municipal traffic officer on the N2 after a video showing a heated confrontation between him and a motorist began circulating widely on social media and WhatsApp groups.

George Herald received the video numerous times after it was shared online.

According to George Municipality, the incident occurred while some municipal traffic officers were escorting an impounded vehicle to the provincial pound. 

“The officers were travelling in the left lane when they encountered a vehicle parked in that lane,” said the senior manager of community safety, Ismail Patel.

According to the preliminary information provided by the municipality, a traffic officer instructed the driver to move the vehicle, after which an argument allegedly ensued. Patel said the driver was subsequently arrested for allegedly disobeying an instruction issued by a traffic officer, resisting arrest and common assault.

He said the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated and will follow the appropriate internal processes. “As per the Council’s rule, issues involving staff discipline will not be further discussed in the media,” Patel said.

The municipality did not provide further details regarding the identity or current duty status of the traffic officer involved, nor did it comment on whether the officer’s conduct in the video was in accordance with the applicable policies, procedures or code of conduct.

It also did not provide the date and time of the incident or indicate whether the officer had been allowed to provide his version of the events.

The municipality said the public is reminded to comply with lawful instructions issued by traffic officers. “George Municipality Traffic Services remains committed to public safety, lawful enforcement and continued service delivery,” Patel said.

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