Accident victim issued with fine

He said officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) whisked the driver of another vehicle involved in the accident away, when he asked for a charge to be laid against him.

“After the accident, the other driver assaulted me. When I reported this to the officers, I was only asked where my driver’s licence was,” said Mr Harris.

Before Mr Harris could ask the other driver for his details, the man was escorted from the scene by EMPD officers.

“The officers asked for my driver’s licence again and I said I could not find it. When I asked them why they took the other driver away, I was told that they (the officers) were clearing the scene,” said Mr Harris.

According to him, the officers accused him of causing the accident and demanded he produce his driver’s licence.

When an ambulance arrived, Mr Harris was placed on a spine-board and prepped for transportation to hospital.

“I was in the ambulance when one of the officers handed me a fine for driving without a licence,” said Mr Harris.

After he was taken to hospital, Emergency Services Chaplain, Mr Vaughn Grantham, found Mr Harris’ licence in the car.

“The force of impact from the accident caused everything in the car to be displaced. I found Mr Harris’ licence, along with his medical aid card, under the passenger seat carpet,” said Chaplain Vaughn.

Following his recovery from the accident, Mr Harris approached the Edenvale EMPD office twice to have the fine cancelled to no avail.

“I was contacted by Chief Superintendent Andries Kekane and told that the officer who issued the fine denied all the allegations,” said Mr Harris.

“I did not cause the accident and I was in possession of a valid driver’s licence. Why should I pay for this fine?” he asked.

Spokesperson for the EMPD, Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, said the matter is currently under investigation.

“The outcome of the investigation will be communicated to the NEWS as soon as possible,” said Supt Kgasago.