This is not the first time that I am writing to the RECORD and it won’t be the last time – not until such time that EMPD actually takes against its own.
This past week, as many times before, the blue Golf, registration number starting HZ 86, with two EMPD officials inside pulled up on the on-ramp from the R59 to Swartkoppies Road.
This is the second day this week we arrive at about the same time and the second time this week that they are not abiding by the laws of the road, like normal motorist and especially officers of the law should do.
As it happened, I stopped at the red traffic light, first in the queue to turn right onto Swartkoppies Road when the light turns green.
Please note, the left lane is only for vehicles turning left onto Swartkoppies Road.
So, who do I see creeping up from behind in the left lane?
None other than the blue Golf with the two EMPD officers inside. The driver very arrogantly let down his window, looked at me sideways as if to say “What are you going to do about it” and when the light turned green, he illegally turned from the left lane right onto Swartkoppies Road.
And all he did was park the vehicle in the yellow line on the bridge and the two of them sat there, like so many mornings before this one, doing nothing about the chaos on Swartkoppies Road bridge.
They will not get out to direct traffic, which is always a mess because of drivers, like this EMPD officer, one making illegal turns onto Swartkoppies Road.
When it is not raining, these two officers simply get out of their vehicle and just stand there chatting the morning away.
I suppose this morning they sat in the vehicle because of the rain, chatting the morning away.
I now insist on an answer and action from EMPD and I will eagerly check the RECORD on a weekly basis to see what is happening.
Gatvol motorist
Comment from Kobeli Mokheseng, acting chief superintendent and spokesperson media and public relations, for the EMPD
We are confirming that there are two traffic wardens deployed at that intersection since there are challenges, especially during peak hour, and the blue VW motor vehicle belongs to one of them.
Keeping in mind that when the traffic light is fully functional, they are there to observe and monitor, but when it is out of order where the flow of traffic is impacted, they perform point duty.
The relevant precinct commander jumped into action following the above complaint and both officers were interviewed.
According to them (officers), they do not have a recollection of the incident.
However, preliminary investigations reveal that when it is heavily raining (like past weeks), pointsmen will temporarily shelter where it is safe until the storm is over.
We have requested a full report from the officers involved and as soon as we reach a consensus, we will update you further.
