By BAKANG MOKOTO
Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court granted bail to two people who allegedly attacked and assaulted a traffic officer between Klerksdorp and Johannesburg on N12 on Sunday last week.
Sabata Kortman (32) and his sister, Ntswaki Kortman (26) were arrested on Sunday After they allegedly attacked and assaulted Johannes Manthi. They appeared at Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for a formal bail application. Sabata Kortman was granted R5000 bail, while his sister, Ntswaki received R2000 bail.
Kortman was seen on a video man-handling Manthi during the incident. He also threatened to ‘cut-off’ Manthi’s manhood. Manthi said he handed Sabata a fine for overtaking in a barrier line.
“I was on duty with two of my female colleagues 12km outside Potchefstroom when the incident happened. I stopped the motorist who was driving a Yaris vehicle after he overtook another vehicle on the barrier line. I gave him a fine for breaking the law, however all hell broke loose when I requested a physical address from him.
“Kortman gave me a post address instead, but I politely explained him that I needed a physical address. He failed to cooperate and hurled insults at me. He demanded his driver’s licence back but I refused. Kortman man-handled and assaulted me in the process,” Manthi said.
A 47 year-old man is living with disability after being involved in a horrible car accident back in 2013. Manthi said he lost a limb during the accident and being attacked in public especially by motorist was absurd and distasteful.
“The area is one of the high risk areas and more than 55% of accidents took place here. So, being attacked for doing my job is debauched. We are here to assist and render our services to all road users. Traffic officers’ high visibility on the roads, endeavour to minimise disruption. Traffic officers also provide safe and timely response to incidents.
“We liaise with emergency services where necessary and relieve congestion as soon as possible. So, this incident will not deter my spirit and I am looking forward to work with cooperative motorists on the roads during festive season,” he said.
Meanwhile, MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said necessary steps will be taken against motorists who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Motlhabane said this during Arrive Alive campaign in Klerksdorp.
“We will not allow law enforcement officials to be intimidated by motorists. We also encouraged all those who will be travelling to various destinations to abide by the rules of the road at all times.
“The department does not condone any form of behaviour where our police will feel threatened when they have to carry out their duties. It is important that all sections of society respect police officials as they are the custodians of the law,” he said.
The case was postponed until 22 January 2018.
The Guardian 