The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has referred to the recent incident involving one of its official vehicles driving over a suspect as a freak accident.
According to TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba, the incident occurred on January 12, 2024, in Hammanskraal, resulting in injuries to two officials.
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Mahamba explained that the incident, which was captured on camera and subsequently circulated on social media, involved a suspect who failed to stop and interfered with the duties of the TMPD.
As a result, the suspect and two TMPD officials were struck by a TMPD vehicle in what has been described as an unfortunate accident.
The injured suspect and the two officers were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment and were discharged on the same day. Following their medical care, the perpetrator was transported to the Temba police station and detained, along with the driver and another passenger in the vehicle.
Charges have been filed against them, including failing to comply with traffic officer instructions, interfering with the duties of a traffic officer, crimen injuria, and resisting arrest.
A viral video of the incident shows three male officers in TMPD uniform assisting the suspect to stand up and seemingly positioning him in front of the approaching TMPD vehicle.
Within seconds, the suspect is seen lying on the ground, attempting to stand up while crying. Additionally, the video captures an officer trying to confiscate a phone from a member of the public who recorded the event.
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Mahamba confirmed that the officers seen in the video are affiliated with the TMPD. The department is currently conducting internal investigations, assigning the case to an investigating officer, and obtaining official statements from the involved members.
Furthermore, the incident will be reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) to conduct an independent investigation as required by law. The TMPD is encouraging anyone with additional information regarding the video to come forward.
Bathong😭😭 pic.twitter.com/wIynxG3IPi
— SPURRA🐐 (@Maluda012) January 15, 2024
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