By REGINALD KANYANE
Wolmaranstad cop has been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless/ negligent driving. This comes after the ‘drunken’ cop wearing a full police uniform seen in a video that went viral on social media platforms struggling to stand steady on his feet to inspect the state motor vehicle.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The South African Police Service (SAPS) management is appalled by an unprofessional and unbecoming conduct of a constable stationed at Wolmaransstad in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.
“The video was captured by the members of the community in Wolmaranstad on Saturday. In the video, a drunken constable in full uniform is seen struggling to stand steady on his feet to inspect the state motor vehicle and check what appears to be a scratch.”
Mokgwabone said the damage was apparently caused by a collision of the state vehicle with a fence at Extension 10 in Tswelelang Location in Wolmaransstad. He added that the police was a driver at the time of the incident.
“Subsequent to the incident, a case of driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and/or negligent driving was opened for investigation, while the constable was detained.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the constable is not authorised to drive a state motor vehicle. As a result, he will also face an additional charge of use of a motor vehicle without owner’s consent,” said Mokgwabone.
He said the departmental investigation will also be instituted against the police officer in terms of SAPS Discipline Regulations.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena expressed his disapproval of the cop’s conduct. Kwena said that all SAPS members are obliged at all times to conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to the code of conduct including using available resources responsibly and to take into account the needs of the community.
The constable was released on R500 bail and is expected back at the Wolmaranstad Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The Guardian 