Media Statement 20 July 2013 Drunk driver arrested for running over a traffic officer in Mpumalanga The driver of a BMW sedan is facing attempted murder charge following his failure to stop when instructed by the Mpumalanga traffic officials last night (Friday, 19 July 2013) on R23 road between Standerton and Val. The resultant accident happened when one of the traffic officers manning a routine operation, attempted to stop a sedan which failed to stop and subsequently knocking down one of the traffic officers. The seriously injured traffic officer was airlifted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. The driver, who sped off immediately after the incident, was pursued by one of the traffic officers who brought him back to the scene. He was apprehended within one kilometre from the scene and immediately charged with reckless and negligent driving and attempted murder at Standerton Police Station. One of the traffic officers, who sustained minor injuries, following a battle that ensued between him and the driver who was resisting arrest at the the time. The officer was treated and released the same night. The driver, Mduduzi Nkosi, will appear in Standerton Magistrate Court on Monday, 22 July 2013. Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security MEC Vusi Shongwe, who was seriously upset by the incident, said that the driver should be denied bail and that he should receive maximum, permissible sentence for his reckless driving. ”It is inconsiderate and reckless drivers who constantly causes unnecessary accidents and loss of lives on our roads. Therefore there is a need to increase priority in cases involving reckless and negligent drivers to curb accidents,” the MEC said. He added that the incident also shows the danger that the traffic officers constantly face when they are doing their work. He called on traffic officials not to be discouraged by such incidences by to instead continue working hard so that roads become safer. The MEC has also wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 14:06:13 +0000
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