Traffic officer killed on N4 crash
A case of culpable homicide is being investigated by SAPS.
Joseph Matshabaphala was killed when a vehicle he was travelling in, a Mercedes Benz sedan, collided with a Volkswagen Polo sedan on the N4 Toll Road near Malelane just outside Nkomazi Tollgate on Monday.
The vehicle the officer was driving was hit on the driver’s side during the collision.
Three occupants in the Polo sedan sustained injuries and they are still receiving treatment in the hospital. A case of culpable homicide is being investigated by SAPS.
READ: JUST IN- KaMdladla Road collision claims five learners’ lives
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Pat Ngomane has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of a traffic officer, Principal Provincial Inspector, Joseph Matshabaphala’s family following his tragic and untimely death in a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Monday.
Matshabaphala was attached to Traffic Law Enforcement at the head office in the Department. He was previously attached to Malelane Cost Centre in Ehlanzeni Region.
Ngomane said: “We wish to convey our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues on the sad passing of Matshabaphala.
Matshabaphala’s passing is deeply regrettable and it is also a grim reminder of the difficulty that the department faces in dealing with road safety.”
Ngomane went to say that the officer leaves a huge void, particularly as the department has just introduced a third shift system for traffic officers and he will be greatly missed for the role that he has played in enforcing traffic law on the road.
He said the department will continue working hard to honour Matshabaphala’s memory and many other traffic officers who have passed on over the years.
