EMPD lambasted
A Benoni trauma surgeon has lambasted the EMPD for allegedly refusing to arrest the driver of a bakkie, who was involved in an accident while apparently under the influence of alcohol.
Dr Shaun Clifford, who is a trauma and specialist surgeon at The Life Glynnwood Hospital, said the officer also refused to test the man for his blood alcohol level.
Clifford was called to assist at the accident, which occurred on August 26, at the intersection of Pretoria and Geldenhuys roads.
One person died and five others were injured in the incident, including three children between the ages of eight and 11 years.
Clifford said the driver of the bakkie, who is also a Welbekend Police Station officer, was not at the accident scene when he arrived.
The driver later returned to the scene and received treatment from Clifford, for a laceration on his leg.
The doctor said he deals with drunk drivers regularly in the trauma theatre and could smell the man had been drinking.
When he asked the EMPD officer to test him for his alcohol levels and arrest him, the officer allegedly refused, saying the man had been smoking, not drinking.
EMPD spokesperson Vusi Mabanga said the EMPD prioritised the life of the injured man.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the surviving driver was injured and needed medical assistance,” said Mabanga.
“The officer prioritised the life of the surviving driver; consequently the driver was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
“It was going to be unreasonable for the officer to breathalyse the injured driver.
“We must keep in mind that the EMPD is out there to serve and protect and not to act against injured people on the public road.”
Clifford said the man was not injured enough to warrant urgent hospitalisation, and could have been tested before being taken to hospital.
Crystal Park SAPS media liaison officer Tryna Maritz said the Metro Police did open a case of culpable homicide against the driver of the bakkie the day after the accident.
The case is still being investigated and police are awaiting the post mortem results of the deceased in the accident and the report of the hospital to which the injured were taken.
Police are expecting to receive the outstanding reports this week.
