Inquiry into ‘sleeping’ police

This is the picture Ben Heydenrych took in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Facebook

This is the picture Ben Heydenrych took in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Facebook

Published Aug 25, 2015

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Durban - The Mid-Illovo police constable found asleep behind the wheel of an official SAPS vehicle with a bottle of Savannah between his legs, is now the subject of an internal departmental police inquiry.

Midlands police spokesman, Mthokozisi Ngobese, said the matter has been referred to the station commander for investigation.

“We are taking the matter very seriously,” he said.

“The member will be charged departmentally and will be dealt with accordingly if it is found the allegations are true. This brings the name of the police into disrepute, so it can never be tolerated.”

This comes in the wake of pictures being posted on Facebook of the policeman passed out in the Mid-Illovo police van with a bottle of the alcoholic beverage between his legs.

The pictures were posted by Ben Heydenrych, who was on his way to drop his son off at school on Saturday morning.

According to Heydenrych, when he saw the officer slumped down in the driver’s seat, he thought something was wrong and went to investigate.

He then called the police after numerous failed attempts to wake the officer up.

Heydenrych indicated that the cop only awoke when the contents of the bottle were splashed on his face.

Community safety and liaison spokesman, Kwanele Ncalane, said the matter was extremely disturbing and would be “thoroughly investigated without fear or favour”.

“If the images are found to be true, the action taken must serve as an example to other police officers. These are the protectors of our laws, they must lead by example,” Ncalane said.

Daily News

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