WATCH | Traffic cop hangs on to car as driver speeds off to avoid fine

A traffic officer went beyond the call of duty when she tried to stop a fleeing motorist by hanging on to the bonnet of the car for dear life.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old woman, tried to race away from the scene to avoid a fine after being caught using her cellphone while driving. 

The incident happened in Krugersdorp on Friday September 13.

In a video circulating on social media, an Audi can be seen cruising along with the officer lying sprawled on the bonnet - much to the shock of a passing motorist.

 "Oh my God! What’s happening here?” said the person taking the video after shouting, “Stop the car!”

The Audi is ultimately brought to a halt as a white minibus cuts the car off. The sliding door flies open and someone gets out to offer support.

Gauteng traffic police, in a preliminary report posted on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, said the officer has been busy issuing a fine for cellphone usage on September 13 when the driver drove away with the officer hanging on to the bonnet.

Officers in an unmarked minibus taxi pursued the woman, who was later arrested and "detained on several charges" - including failure to comply with the instructions of a traffic officer, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

The Gauteng community safety department on Tuesday condemned the woman's conduct. "The conduct displayed by the driver is not only reckless but also smacks of arrogance," said spokesperson Ofentse Morwane.

"With the province experiencing a high number of unnecessary crashes and fatalities on our roads, it is of utmost importance that our law enforcement agencies should stamp their authority on those who disregard the rules of the road."

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula retweeted the video, but did not offer any comment on what he had seen.

Other social media users were quick to share and comment on the video, with some making light of the situation.