The Presidency has dismissed allegations by Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba that President Jacob Zuma’s blue-light convoy killed a man in Pretoria.
On 19 November, Mashaba tweeted:
I have just received the terrible news that President Zuma's blue lights brigades killed a friend Solly Moutlana in Pretoria yesterday
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) November 19, 2016
Zuma’s office released a statement stating that the reports that the President’s convoy killed a pedestrian are untrue. “It is unfortunate that Mr Mashaba, if the tweet is indeed by him, seeks to create an impression that a Saps convoy transporting the President caused this painful loss of life, which is totally untrue and misleading,” read the statement.
According to the President’s spokesperson, Bongani Ngulunga, Zuma left Pretoria on 15 November. On the day that the reported incident occurred (18 November), Zuma was in East London to participate in the National Council of Province’s Taking Parliament to the People event, having travelled from Cape Town. From East London, he flew to KwaZulu-Natal.
Nqulunga mentioned that the Presidency, on inquiry, has been informed that police are investigating a case involving the death of a pedestrian after being hit by a car driven by a police officer in Pretoria.
“The pedestrian subsequently passed away. The Saps would be better placed to provide clarity on the matter,” read the statement.
Police have confirmed that a 59-year-old pedestrian was knocked over by a police car on 18 November in Pretoria.
According to tweets by police, the pedestrian later died due to his injuries. Police also dismissed claims reporting that the man was killed by a blue-light convoy. “The driver of the Saps vehicle was a member of the Presidential Protection Unit on duty, but not part of a blue-light convoy, as some suggest.”
The police are investigating a case of culpable homicide and stated that the driver involved is co-operating.
The Presidency, together with the police, have extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
The Presidency also said it remains ready to assist the Mayor of Johannesburg in future with clarity on matters affecting the Presidency to ensure the accuracy of information before it is disseminated.
Mashaba, who states to be a friend of the deceased, has urged police to release details of the vehicle responsible for the deceased’s death.
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