Who’s the law here?
Four traffic officers arrested for assault after apprehending off-duty police officer for alleged drunk driving
KNYSNA - It's law against law in Knysna, where four officers from the Western Cape Provincial Traffic Department were arrested after allegedly using excessive force while arresting an off-duty police officer for allegedly driving under the influence.
At the initial arrest on Sunday 4 September, the police officer reportedly resisted arrest, according to Department of Transport and Public Works spokesperson Jandré Bakker. "Minimum force, as allowed by law, was used to restrain the suspect," he said.
"The drunk driver subsequently laid a charge of assault against our officers and our officers were arrested by SAPS subsequent to the arrest." Southern Cape police spokesperson
Sgt Chris Spies confirmed that the four traffic officers were arrested almost two months later. "Knysna police took four suspects, aged
28, 35, 36 and 46, into custody on charges of common assault on 27 October. Later the same day, they were released and warned to appear in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on 29 November," he said.
According to Bakker, both law enforcement agencies are conducting internal investigations.
"Our department is committed to the principles of natural justice such as the 'rule of law' in terms of which everyone is treated equally in terms of the law.
“No one is exempted from the rules of the road by virtue of their occupation or station. We will be engaging SAPS on the incident and cooperating with them until the matter is finalised."
Spies also confirmed that an investigation into the initial arrest of the off-duty police officer is underway.
"A case of driving under the influence of liquor and resisting arrest is also under investigation following the arrest of a 34-year-old suspect, an off-duty police official, on 4 September. He was later released and warned to appear in court on 24 March 2023, awaiting laboratory reports."
He also said that an internal disciplinary process into the police officer's conduct has been started. "In the meantime, the Garden Route District Commissioner's office centralised the dockets and assigned an officer to proceed with the investigations. This remains an ongoing police probe."