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A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer is under investigation after a shocking dashcam video showing the alleged assault of a motorist went viral on social media, prompting widespread public outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.
The disturbing footage captures what appears to have begun as a routine traffic stop before escalating into a violent confrontation. According to the video, the officer requested to see the driver’s licence but quickly became verbally aggressive, allegedly insulting the motorist before he had a chance to respond.
When the driver calmly asked to be addressed with respect, the situation took a dramatic turn. The officer allegedly grabbed him by the throat and appeared to choke him while saying, “I want to hurt you. You are full of disrespect.” The incident lasted only a few seconds before the officer released his grip, but the confrontation was far from over.
The visibly shaken driver questioned why he had been assaulted and produced his driver’s licence, insisting that if he had committed an offence, he should be arrested through the proper legal process.
Instead, the confrontation escalated further. The officer allegedly dragged the driver out of his vehicle and assaulted him again as other JMPD officers stood nearby. Video footage shows at least one additional officer assisting in removing the motorist from the vehicle before he was thrown onto the road.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, with many South Africans expressing outrage over the officer’s conduct. Civil rights activists and public figures called on the victim to lay a formal assault charge and urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to investigate the incident.
Responding to the public backlash, the JMPD confirmed that although no formal complaint had yet been received from the motorist, an internal investigation had already been launched.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla encouraged both the driver and any eyewitnesses to come forward and provide official statements to assist investigators.
“The complainants are strongly encouraged to provide formal statements so that a thorough investigation can be conducted,” Fihla said.
He added that the department does not tolerate abuse of power, corruption, misconduct or any form of unprofessional behaviour that damages public trust in law enforcement.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has also weighed in on the incident, calling for immediate disciplinary action against the officer involved. The party argued that the use of force shown in the video appeared unjustified, particularly as the driver did not present any obvious physical threat.
The DA further criticised the officers who witnessed the incident but failed to intervene, saying they too should be held accountable for allowing the alleged assault to continue.
DA Johannesburg shadow MMC for public safety Solomon Maila said the incident had brought the city’s public safety department into disrepute.
He stressed that the primary responsibility of JMPD officers is to protect residents, not subject them to violence or intimidation during routine law enforcement duties.
As the investigation continues, the viral footage has reignited debate over police conduct, the use of force during traffic stops and the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable whenever allegations of misconduct arise.
