IPID must investigate e-toll harassment by JMPD

I will write to the Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Robert McBride, to request an urgent investigation into the utilisation of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) for the purpose of coercing motorists to purchase e-tags. It is reported that yesterday, SANRAL branding and vehicles where utilised at a roadblock conducted by members of the JMPD on the Olifantsfontein off-ramp in Gauteng. The use of SANRAL branding, vehicles and equipment at Gauteng roadblocks can only be viewed as a means to intimidate motorists to buy e-tags, without any legal basis to do so. The creation of an impression to the contrary is deliberately misleading. The following photographs were taken, where it is clear that the JMPD and SANRAL were working together at the road block. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act, which aims to ensure independent oversight of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Police Services, IPID must, as per section 28(1)(g), investigate abuses by the police amounting to corrupt activities when reported by a member of the public. The conduct exhibited by members of the JMPD not only falls outside of their mandate but also fraudulently uses state resources to bully South African motorists. The DA is determined to shed light on this coercion of Gauteng motorists. I will therefore also be submitting parliamentary questions requesting the details of how many SANRAL vehicles have been deployed to assist the JMPD, on what occasions, and at what expense to the taxpayer. The DA opposes the abuse of policing services - which should be spending their time upholding the law and keeping South Africans safe.