News / Local
Government to jail spike throwing cops
10 Apr 2017 at 03:32hrs | Views
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Obedingwa Mguni who has been defending the condemned traffic police practice of throwing spikes at moving vehicles has said cops who do that will be jailed for 10 years or fined as much as $3 000.
Mguni appealed to members of the public who witness the "dangerous practice" to take video or picture evidence so that the cops can be punished.
"If the Government receives tangible evidence of traffic officers throwing spikes under vehicles, then it will surely take action. Of late we have been receiving complaints but no one has brought concrete evidence of spikes being thrown at cars," he is quoted saying by sate run Chronicle.
"Measures such as level 12 fines of $3 000 or 10 years imprisonment can be taken against unruly officers. The government doesn't shield bad apples. This has been evidenced through the arrest of corrupt police officers who involve themselves in such crimes as stock theft and illegal mining."
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter IV, Section 38 states: "Any person who - (a) throws or propels or prepares to throw or propel any missile, article or thing at any person, motor vehicle, boat, aircraft or building with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of causing damage or injury.
. . leaves or places on or over any road anything with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of obstructing such road or endangering persons using it; shall be guilty of obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic and liable to a fine not exceeding level 12 or imprisonment for a period exceeding 10 years or both."
There has been outcry over the use of spikes which have been described as not being part of standard police equipment.
Public transporters in the city have said police should just note down the registration number of a vehicle if it flees from police instead of chasing after it or throwing spikes.
Mguni appealed to members of the public who witness the "dangerous practice" to take video or picture evidence so that the cops can be punished.
"If the Government receives tangible evidence of traffic officers throwing spikes under vehicles, then it will surely take action. Of late we have been receiving complaints but no one has brought concrete evidence of spikes being thrown at cars," he is quoted saying by sate run Chronicle.
"Measures such as level 12 fines of $3 000 or 10 years imprisonment can be taken against unruly officers. The government doesn't shield bad apples. This has been evidenced through the arrest of corrupt police officers who involve themselves in such crimes as stock theft and illegal mining."
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter IV, Section 38 states: "Any person who - (a) throws or propels or prepares to throw or propel any missile, article or thing at any person, motor vehicle, boat, aircraft or building with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of causing damage or injury.
. . leaves or places on or over any road anything with the intention or realising that there is a real risk or possibility of obstructing such road or endangering persons using it; shall be guilty of obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic and liable to a fine not exceeding level 12 or imprisonment for a period exceeding 10 years or both."
There has been outcry over the use of spikes which have been described as not being part of standard police equipment.
Public transporters in the city have said police should just note down the registration number of a vehicle if it flees from police instead of chasing after it or throwing spikes.
Source - Chronicle
