Woman claims EMPD officer causes accident and ruins her life

A 36-YEAR-OLD woman from Verwoerdpark is in a deep pit of despair and believes that life as she knew it is over. She has no hope and sees no point in anything anymore.

Natalie van Heerden’s life took a 360-degree turn on February 16 on Swartkoppies Road, opposite the EMPD offices. Soon after Natalie stopped to turn into Michelle Avenue towards Alberton, an EMPD officer, was not paying attention and crashed into the rear of Natalie’s car at full speed (right next to a roadblock, which was not manned by anyone).

In a video that Natalie’s son’s fiancée, Michelle Jacobs (who was also Natalie’s passenger at the time), took after the accident, the officer pulled her car to the side of the road, got out and went to go sit on a barricade next to where Natalie’s car was parked.

The officer did not say anything, even after Natalie, who managed to walk, despite the injuries she sustained seconds before, got out of her car and furiously yelled at her for causing an accident.

No apology

When Natalie was later taken to the Union Hospital and examined for injuries, the officer was also there. The officer was asked several times if she suffered any injuries, but she said she was fine. Natalie said she even saw the officer in a good mood, making jokes with other people.

“She saw me lying there, injured and with little dignity after my clothes were cut off from my body, but not once did she come to me or apologise for what she did,” said Natalie with a mixture of fury and sadness.

“Until today, I’ve not heard one word, nevermind an apology from her. She’s moved on with her life. Mine has ended and she doesn’t give a damn.”

The day the accident took place was also Natalie’s husband, Rudi van Heerden’s, birthday. What would have been an exciting day of love and celebrations, turned out to be a day of all hope lost for Natalie.

Like a broken cup

She told the RECORD that she found out that her car had to be written off and, even worse, she was told by her doctors that her spine was damaged to the extent that she will never be able to lift weights or do physical training again.

Natalie used to be an avid bodybuilder, personal trainer and kickboxing, wall-climbing and aerobics enthusiast. She even had her own training room at home. She said: “I used to love life more than anything else I knew. I inspired others and I loved people. But now I’m like a teacup that has been thrown to the floor. I’m broken and I’ll never be the same again.”

After several months since the accident took place, Natalie still can’t walk properly and is in constant pain. She is suffering financially and it is up to her husband to provide an income to support her, their son and his university fees, and to afford Natalie’s medication which adds up to approximately R5 000 per month. Even though their medical aid assisted with the hospital bills, the aid does not contribute towards this medication.

Natalie is mortified to leave the house because she said that many times she collapses while walking due to her damaged spine. This happened to her when she went to a nearby shop to buy groceries one day.

“I suddenly collapsed in front of everyone and people literally started laughing at me as if I was a drunk,” she said with tearful eyes.

“It was horrible. I used to love being around people. Now I can’t stand leaving the house and being near them because I feel low and self-conscious.”

She continues: “My husband has to help me in every way. From getting dressed to going to the bathroom. My dignity has been taken from me. I can’t go shopping anymore. I can’t even cook for him or clean the house while he’s at work. He has to do everything, every day. I can’t do this anymore.”

Natalie said she feels so empty, useless and hopeless, she would be happy to end her life at this point.

“I approached the RECORD as a final attempt to get help – I want that officer to know what she did to me. She ruined my life. I am dead inside while she merrily carries on. I hope she gets this message, and I hope justice gets served in some way,” Natalie concluded.

EMPD comments

On behalf of the EMPD, Kobeli Mokheseng, media liaison officer, responded:

“If an accident occurs and one of our official vehicles is involved, the EMPD Accident Reconstruction, Integrity & Standards (Internal Affairs) Units record the details and the supervisor of the officer concerned, responds to the scene.

“Upon arrival, statements from both parties are gathered and the supervisor then confiscates the officer’s driving permit before a date is set to appear in front of the disciplinary committee. During that period, the question of ‘who was at fault before the crash’ is not yet entertained.

“If there are casualties, the appropriate docket (reckless and negligent driving or culpable homicide) will be registered at the nearest police station for SAPS detectives to investigate, unless paramedics or medical experts on site pronounce the patients’ injuries.

“According to the officer’s supervisor, she appeared in front of the disciplinary committee on Thursday, March 15. She was then referred to our training academy for a re-evaluation, following a ruling by the collective. She attended on Wednesday, April 18, and passed all the assessments. We recommend Mrs van Heerden visit the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for further aid.”

No confirmation

THE RECORD asked EMPD whether they acknowledged that the officer was at fault for the accident and, if so, whether she would face any consequences. EMPD was also asked why Natalie should visit the RAF for further aid and not them.

On behalf of EMPD, Kobeli responded: “According to the EMPD’s disciplinary committee, it cannot yet be confirmed whether the officer was at fault because there was no-one from the EMPD who witnessed the accident as it happened – therefore, there is no proof that the officer caused the accident. However, if she is found to have caused the accident, she will be penalised accordingly.

“We cannot help Natalie with any financial claims. However, she must visit the RAF, whether she wants to make a claim or not. It might be a struggle to claim successfully, so we suggest that she seeks legal experts who can advise her on what to do and where to claim,” he said.

To the RECORD’s request if the EMPD officer could also give her side of the story and comment on the allegations made by Natalie, Kobeli responded as followed on behalf of the EMPD: “The current EMPD media and public relations unit is responsible for any media related matters directed at the department. It also acts as a mediator between the department and members of the community, including different media houses. Since EMPD is a semi-military organisation, it is not permissible for officers in uniform to comment to the media, unless mandated by the head of department or the relevant structure.”

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