Naidoo cop upsets councillor

This JMPD officer ridiculed motorist Clive Naidoo, who had been stopped for allegedly skipping a red traffic light, for feeling no shame about living in Bloubosrand, a suburb north of Johannesburg.

This JMPD officer ridiculed motorist Clive Naidoo, who had been stopped for allegedly skipping a red traffic light, for feeling no shame about living in Bloubosrand, a suburb north of Johannesburg.

Published Sep 3, 2015

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Bloubosrand ward councillor Matome Mafokwane is unimpressed by a Johannesburg Metro Police Department officer’s comments about his area in a video that went viral, and says she should face disciplinary action.

“It is wrong in every way. This officer was acting in her official capacity and has no right to express her personal view and pronounce on whether Bloubosrand is a safe area or not,” he said.

Mafokwane comments came after a video circulated on social media showing a female JMPD officer ridiculing motorist Clive Naidoo, who had been stopped for allegedly skipping a red traffic light, and for feeling no shame about living in Bloubosrand, a suburb north of Johannesburg.

Naidoo is heard in the video urging the officer to be quick in writing the ticket as he was rushing off to a meeting. He then told the officer he paid her salary, to which the officer ridiculed him, saying: “How can you pay R20 000 when you live in Bloubosrand?”

Laughing at Naidoo, the officer continued to state that Bloubosrand had “too many blacks and thieves” living there.

Mafokwane said that if the suburb were a crime hot spot, he wanted to know what the metro cop, as an official of the law, was doing about it.

“Officers have to abide by a code of conduct when in uniform. It’s not about the officer wanting to become a celebrity and whether she likes being videoed or not.

“I am going to be demanding a disciplinary hearing. This was barbaric behaviour,” he said.

Mafokwane said the officer’s “irresponsible remarks” could lead to financial implications for people living in the suburb.

“People will start wanting to sell, or not buy into the area. The financial consequences are huge because people could lose money and the city will lose rates,” he said.

However, one of the main property agents said he didn’t believe the officer’s statements would make much of a difference.

Estate agent Brian Charlebois, who has been selling property in the area for 12 years, said Bloubosrand was the most misunderstood area in Joburg.

“About eight years ago, crime was high, but that was before Douglasdale police station was built. Then policemen started buying in the area and today there about 30 living here. We see many police cars parked in the streets.

“The area is one of the safest in the north, especially when compared with nearby Douglasdale and Fourways. Many houses have very little security. I have never had problems selling there,” he said.

There are 760 houses in the suburb and prices range from about R850 000 to R1.4 million. According to the 2011 census, Bloubosrand has a population of 10 879, of which 85.9 percent are black, 2.5 percent Asian and 9.2 percent white.

A fake Wikipedia page posted on Facebook defined Bloubosrand as: “A suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa, in which Clive Naidoo lives. It is not a good suburb, there is too much blacks and thieves.”

But the legitimate Wikipedia defined it as “A suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region A”.

Apart from a few references to businesses and property sales, the only other information on the suburb is found in the 2011 census figures.

There is nothing mentioned on the internet about its history, when it was founded or any other details.

Meanwhile, the JMPD has been instructed to take officers on refresher courses to help them to be more professional in their dealings with motorists.

Joburg member of the mayoral committee (MMC) Sello Lemao said his department “will continue to insist that officers undergo periodic refresher courses” to enable officers “to rise above petty provocations and remain professional at all times”.

While many people on Twitter sided with the officer and labelled Naidoo arrogant, Lemaowas not impressed, saying the incident “serves as no reflection of how our officers in general interact with the communities they continue to serve”.

“We want to urge both members of the public and JMPD officers to exercise tolerance and respect towards one another. The officers in particular must always ensure,” he said.

JMPD spokesman Wayne Minnaar confirmed they had received correspondence from Lemao. – The Star

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