POLICE BRIBERY ACCIDENT STORY

BY ERIC MATOME KGOMO
A pedestrian died and three others sustained minor injuries when a speeding truck collided with a minibus taxi along the N4 toll route outside Waterval Boven, on Frida
According to an eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous said the taxi which was travelling from Maputo in Mozambique to Johannesburg was about to approach the toll gate when the accident occurred.
“The taxi which was in the middle of the road was stopped by a police who was driving an unmarked vehicle. A speeding truck approached and hit the trailer of the taxi before driving to the taxi. It then ran over a pedestrian who died immediately,” he said.
The witness alleged that the police officer stopped the taxi to demand bribe.
“It is a norm that police demand bribe from taxi drivers who are coming from foreign countries. They ask for bribe even when the driver did not commit any offense. The taxi driver was on the right side of the law when the police stopped him. They just saw the registration plate and ordered him to stop on the middle of the road,” he said.
Mpumalanga Provincial Police spokesperson, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, said initial reports from the accident scene indicate that the police, who were on their normal patrol duties, noticed a taxi driving very slow on the freeway and ordered the driver to change to low gear to get the taxi off the road.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that just before getting out of the road, the taxi driver saw truck coming towards him and collided with the trailer just before hitting the taxi. Three pedestrians were injured during the accident and unfortunately the fourth one died on the scene,” he said.
Hlathi said the truck driver, who is a Namibian national, alleged that he was disturbed by the sun at the time when approaching the taxi and unfortunately, he was too close to can avoid the accident.
He said only pedestrians were injured and no other casualties were reported.
“We are not aware of the allegations of bribes, however, we are requesting anyone who has knowledge or information about the allegations of bribes against police demanding bribes at any place including at the toll gate, should report such police officers to the management of the nearest police station,” pleaded Hlathi.
He indicated that wild allegations without substance should be avoided as they mislead the public and adversely dent the image of police.
“While we acknowledge that there are bad cops within our ranks, it will be appreciated if not all cops are painted with the same brush. Let us work together to single out bad cops, isolate them and subject them to lawful processes,” he said.
Hlathi said said police were investigating cases of culpable homicide, reckless and careless driving.