The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, together with the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, have noted with concern a viral video currently circulating on various social media platforms putting to show a traffic officer being attacked. The alleged incident took place on Monday afternoon, 15 December 2025.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident happened on the R503 Road between Klerksdorp and Hartbeesfontein. This follows an alleged armed robbery that occurred shortly before the video was recorded.
It is reported that two male suspects, aged 44 and 26, who are accused of having committed an armed robbery, were apprehended by members of the public. The traffic officer, who was on patrol duties, was stopped by community members and the suspects, who were being pursued, ran for cover in a traffic vehicle. Their pursuers then attacked them inside the traffic vehicle. The traffic officer called the police, who responded quickly, and the community members fled from the scene. The two suspects, who were severely beaten, were taken to the hospital under police guard.
A firearm with ammunition, believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged armed robbery, was also handed over to the traffic officer.
The suspects remain under police detention while receiving medical treatment. The firearm and ammunition have been seized as part of the investigation. The duo will appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on charges of armed robbery and for illegal possession of a firearm with ammunition, as soon as they are discharged from the hospital. The 26-year-old suspect will also be charged for the contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act,  Act 13 of 2002.
The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the events depicted in the video. Further action will be taken in line with the outcome of the investigations.
The public is urged to allow police to conduct their investigations without interference and to refrain from the circulation of unverified information that may cause unnecessary alarm or misinformation.
MEC Morweng and Major General Naidoo strongly condemn acts of violence and vigilantism, and caution members of the public against taking the law into their own hands. While community cooperation in reporting crime is encouraged and appreciated, the apprehension and punishment of suspects remain the responsibility of law enforcement, including justice agencies.