Cape Town – A tragic accident occurred in Limpopo when a police vehicle transporting 11 inmates, along with a female officer, crashed — killing the officer and six inmates.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the incident occurred on 14 August at around 9am on the R101 between Mokopane and Mookgopong.
Preliminary reports indicate that the vehicle, carrying 11 inmates and driven by a police officer, was travelling from the Mokopane Police Station to the Naboomspruit Magistrate’s Court when it collided with a truck a few kilometres from Naboomspruit.
“The impact resulted in the death of a police officer and six inmates.
“The remaining five inmates sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital to receive medical attention, said SAPS.
The truck driver escaped unharmed, while authorities confirmed that the identities of the deceased will be released once the next of kin have been informed and the official identification process has been completed.
Members of the Employee Health and Wellness Unit have been dispatched to support the affected families.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, stating:
“This is a devastating loss for the SAPS and the affected families. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this tragedy. A thorough investigation will be conducted to establish the exact cause of this incident,” said Hadebe.
According to EWN, Tshifhiwa Dali, spokesperson for the Provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the department is working closely with law enforcement to uncover the full details of the incident.
“The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation, and we urge all parties involved to exercise caution and patience as the investigation unfolds.
“[As] the Department of Transport and Community Safety, we will continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that our roads are safe for all users,” said Dali.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@_ArriveAlive
Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
