Johannesburg – A shocking video circulating on social media has sparked widespread public outrage, showing a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer brutally assaulting a motorist during what was meant to be a routine traffic stop. The footage, captured by a dashcam, has once again brought the issue of police brutality and the abuse of power into the national spotlight, leading to urgent calls for accountability and disciplinary action.
The incident, which reportedly took place in late July 2026, begins with the officer approaching the driver’s window and requesting his licence. However, before the motorist could even respond, the officer began hurling insults at him. The situation quickly escalated when the driver asked to be spoken to with respect. In a chilling display of aggression, the officer reached into the vehicle, grabbed the driver by the neck, and began to choke him.
“I want to hurt you. You are full of disrespect,” the officer can be heard saying in the video, his hands firmly around the man’s throat. The motorist, visibly struggling to breathe, was held in the chokehold for several seconds before the officer finally released his grip.
What followed was a heated altercation as the driver, understandably shaken, questioned the officer’s violent actions. “Why did you choke me?” he asked, while producing his driver’s licence. He challenged the officer to arrest him if he had committed any traffic offence, rather than resorting to physical assault. In response to the challenge, the officer pulled the driver out of his vehicle and allegedly assaulted him again off-camera, while other officers present at the scene appeared to stand by without intervening.
The JMPD has confirmed that it is aware of the video and has launched an internal investigation, although it noted that no official complaint had been lodged by the victim at the time of their initial statement. “To ensure a thorough and complete investigation, we strongly encourage the complainants to come forward and provide formal statements to investigators,” said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
Fihla emphasized that the department does not condone any form of misconduct or unprofessional behaviour. “The JMPD condemns any abuse of power or unprofessional behaviour by its officers. We call on the public to formally report officer misconduct to our Internal Affairs Department,” he added.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has been quick to react, calling for the immediate suspension and dismissal of the officer involved. Solomon Maila, the DA shadow MMC for public safety in Johannesburg, described the incident as a "gross violation" of the law. “The officer broke the law by resorting to aggressive force despite facing no physical threat from the motorist,” Maila said. “This is necessary to protect the public image of the JMPD, as the incident clearly brings the department of public safety into disrepute.”
The DA also pointed out that the other officers present during the assault must be held accountable for their failure to intervene. “The primary function of JMPD officers is to serve and protect the six million residents of the city, not to harm the people they have sworn to protect,” Maila added.
This latest incident comes amidst a troubling trend of police misconduct reports in Johannesburg. According to recent data, the JMPD Internal Affairs Department has received over 30 complaints against officers in the past three months alone, resulting in at least eight officers being placed on suspension. The "blue-on-blue" violence has also made headlines, with an off-duty JMPD officer recently arrested for allegedly killing a colleague during a domestic dispute in Soweto.
Public trust in the JMPD has been severely undermined by these recurring reports of brutality and corruption. Many South Africans have taken to social media to share their own experiences of being harassed or intimidated by metro police officers. “This is why we don’t trust them. They act like they are above the law,” one user commented on the viral video.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is also expected to look into the matter, as the assault constitutes a serious criminal offence. Legal experts suggest that the motorist has strong grounds for a civil claim against the City of Johannesburg for the trauma and physical harm suffered during the encounter.
Help us find this brother so we can assist him with lodging a complaint against @JoburgMPD
Lawlessness can never be celebrated! @Jaca_Patrick we hope there’ll be a statement today on steps you will be taking on this matter and that these officers will be placed on suspension.… pic.twitter.com/N5O2X6i06g
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) July 23, 2026
As the internal investigation continues, the JMPD is under immense pressure to show that it is serious about rooting out "rotten apples" within its ranks. The department has often spoken about its commitment to "professionalizing" the force, but as this video demonstrates, there is still a long way to go.
For the motorist involved, the road to justice may be long, but the presence of the dashcam footage provides a level of evidence that is often missing in cases of police abuse. The video serves as a stark reminder of the power of technology in holding those in authority accountable.
The JMPD has urged any eyewitnesses to the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. For now, the officer in the video remains a member of the force, but with the mayor and opposition parties calling for his head, his future in the department looks increasingly uncertain. The story of the "choking officer" is a call to action for a city that is tired of living in fear of the very people meant to keep them safe.
