A former Eastern Cape police officer has opened a case against a fellow-officer for alleged negligent and reckless driving in the Kei Cuttings.
The August 28 incident, where the officer is alleged to have been speeding in a state vehicle and dangerously overtaking on double barrier lines, was caught on video.
The vehicle was driving from the direction of Butterworth to the Kei Bridge at about 3.45pm.
Former police officer and East London resident, William Granzier, reported the matter to the authorities but claimed that no action has yet been taken. He wants the police official involved to be held accountable for endangering his life and the lives of other road-users.
“I have many more videos of police officials behaving in a similar manner using state vehicles. I realised the more videos I have, then provincial authorities will realise that it is a common problem,” said Granzier.
Granzier ‘s dashboard camera recorded the alleged incident of reckless driving.
He said it did not appear to him that the officer was responding to an emergency at the time. Granzier said he had furnished a written complaint to the office of the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta and claimed that he had not received a response up to now..
Granzier had attached a copy of the 21-second video clip to his e-mail. Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Khaya Tonjeni said SAPS did not condone reckless and negligent driving by members.
He said the provincial police headquarters had no knowledge of the complaint until contacted by the Daily Dispatch yesterday.
The original e-mail complaint and video was then forwarded to them.
Tonjeni then said: “It would be premature to indicate what steps to be taken as we have not had an opportunity to view the video footage.”
Tonjeni said they would make enquiries with the police station concerned in a bid to determine who was driving at the time.
Granzier accused the police of sweeping the matter under the carpet. “I have tried making a follow up on the case but nobody seems to know how far the investigation has gone,” Granzier said yesterday.
Eastern Cape police are currently faced with a vehicle crisis, with senior officials in the service saying abuse of state vehicles contributed to the problem. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
VIDEO: Cop accused of reckless driving
The August 28 incident, where the officer is alleged to have been speeding in a state vehicle and dangerously overtaking on double barrier lines, was caught on video.
The vehicle was driving from the direction of Butterworth to the Kei Bridge at about 3.45pm.
Former police officer and East London resident, William Granzier, reported the matter to the authorities but claimed that no action has yet been taken. He wants the police official involved to be held accountable for endangering his life and the lives of other road-users.
“I have many more videos of police officials behaving in a similar manner using state vehicles. I realised the more videos I have, then provincial authorities will realise that it is a common problem,” said Granzier.
Granzier ‘s dashboard camera recorded the alleged incident of reckless driving.
He said it did not appear to him that the officer was responding to an emergency at the time. Granzier said he had furnished a written complaint to the office of the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta and claimed that he had not received a response up to now..
Granzier had attached a copy of the 21-second video clip to his e-mail. Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant Khaya Tonjeni said SAPS did not condone reckless and negligent driving by members.
He said the provincial police headquarters had no knowledge of the complaint until contacted by the Daily Dispatch yesterday.
The original e-mail complaint and video was then forwarded to them.
Tonjeni then said: “It would be premature to indicate what steps to be taken as we have not had an opportunity to view the video footage.”
Tonjeni said they would make enquiries with the police station concerned in a bid to determine who was driving at the time.
Granzier accused the police of sweeping the matter under the carpet. “I have tried making a follow up on the case but nobody seems to know how far the investigation has gone,” Granzier said yesterday.
Eastern Cape police are currently faced with a vehicle crisis, with senior officials in the service saying abuse of state vehicles contributed to the problem. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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