Durban Metro Police are investigating a Chatsworth motorist filmed in a heated confrontation with two female Durban Metro Police officers after he received a parking fine for being illegally parked at the entrance of Take n Pay and Bangladesh Market.
In the video which has gone viral on social media, one of the officers could be seen standing at the man’s car writing him a ticket. The man had allegedly become aggressive and tried to get in between the officer and his vehicle.
The second officer could then be heard screaming at the man for him not to touch the other officer. The exchange of words becomes heated, and the man screamed at the officer and said that he wanted to see the parking ticket.
He then took out his cellphone to record the officer, but she grabbed it from his hand. The officer and the man then got into an altercation, and the officer was seen pushing the man around before the video ended.
Colonel Booysie Zungu, spokesperson for the Durban Metro Police, said they had commenced with an internal investigation to determine the facts of the case.
“The video clip does not show the entirety of the situation. If the motorist had not caused an obstruction on the road, then the whole scene was not going to happen.
If he did not become aggressive and physically confront the officers while they were prosecuting him from being illegally parked, then the officer would have not resorted to protecting a fellow female officer from being bullied by a motorist,” Zungu added
He said the officers were merely performing their duties, and if the motorist had felt that he was charged unfairly, there were processes he could have followed to report the officers.
“We want to remind the public that police officers, especially women serving in law enforcement, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect while carrying out their duties. No officer should be assaulted, threatened, intimidated, or interfered with while enforcing the law.“
Members of the public are further reminded that it is an offence to obstruct, hinder, or interfere with a police officer while he or she is lawfully performing official duties.
Zungu said if any person has concerns regarding the conduct of a Metro Police officer, they are encouraged to report the matter to the Public Relations office on 031 322 8778.
He said all complaints are taken seriously and will be subjected to the appropriate internal investigation process.
