MBOMBELA – The head of White River Police’s detective branch was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, after he had been involved in two accidents within minutes of each other on Friday.
He allegedly fled from the scene of the first one he had caused, and proceeded to drive into two more vehicles before he was finally apprehended.
What made his arrest even more scandalous, was the fact that he was on duty and driving a state vehicle.
Lt Artwell (ATM) Zungu (30) was driving on the R40 towards Nelspruit at about 16:55 when this occurred. Provincial police spokesman, Brig Selvy Mohlala told Lowvelder that, according to their report, Zungu had first collided with a vehicle at the Rocky Drift intersection. He failed to stop and drove off.
He proceeded to collide with two more at the first intersection at Riverside Mall. According to an informed source, the driver of the first car followed him and found him at the scene of the second accident. His colleagues were summoned and he was arrested. The occupants in the other vehicles reportedly didn’t sustain any injuries.
Zungu was taken to hospital where blood samples were taken to determine his blood-alcohol level. The source, who saw the doctor’s report, said that he wrote that Zungu had reeked of alcohol. “He denied being drunk, but did admit, in writing, that he had consumed a Hunter’s Apple Cider at about 11:00 that day. That in itself is damning evidence as a police official is obviously not allowed to drink on duty,” the source said.
When being asked about this, Mohlala said he “couldn’t disclose or discuss the content of the statement of the suspects or victims”. Zungu was released on warning and appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning on charges of reckless and/or negligent driving, failing to stop at an accident scene and driving under the influence of alcohol. The case was postponed to July 30 for further investigation.
When asked if Zungu would be suspended pending the criminal investigation against him, Mohlala simply said “no”. He couldn’t say how long the accused had been serving in the police or how long he had been stationed at White River. The source added that Zungu has been placed on compulsory leave.
