Viral video shows police car driving without a door: Is this reckless behaviour?
A KwaZulu-Natal police officer is under investigation after a video showing him driving a marked police van with no driver’s door went viral on social media, raising serious concerns about police conduct and vehicle safety procedures.
The incident took place on Sunday, June 1, in the Durban North policing precinct after the police vehicle was involved in a collision with a minibus taxi.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the van’s door had to be removed to free a police officer who was trapped inside following the crash.
A screenshot from the viral video showing the police vehicle being driven without a door.
Image: Supplied
Despite the vehicle being declared unroadworthy, another officer- was filmed driving the damaged van back to the station, a move the South African Police Service (SAPS) has condemned as reckless and against protocol.
“Instead of following prescribed procedures, another driver drove the vehicle to the station, endangering his life and putting the name and image of the South African Police Service into disrepute,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
While the video circulated widely on Monday, Colonel Netshiunda confirmed the footage was taken the day before.
He added that although the officer was escorted by another police vehicle with its blue lights on - a detail not captured in the viral clip - the decision to drive the van remained unacceptable.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi expressed strong disapproval of the incident, saying the SAPS was working tirelessly to improve its image and restore public trust.
“The management of police in KwaZulu-Natal will not allow anyone to tarnish the image by disregarding regulations and procedures,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
“The member who was driving the vehicle, the officer who gave such an unlawful instruction, and anyone else involved in the decision to drive the vehicle in that condition will face internal disciplinary action.”
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi said the police in the province were committed to upholding professionalism within the force: “We shall never allow anyone to undo the positive impact that police have been making to create a safe and secure environment for all the people in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”