Cops watch soccer as accidents occur
While there were at least five motor-vehicle collisions in the city, several uniformed traffic officials were watching the soccer match between Bafana Bafana and Congo, oblivious to the fact that their presence was needed at the scenes of these accidents.
POLOKWANE – While there were at least five motor-vehicle collisions in the city, several uniformed traffic officials were watching the soccer match between Bafana Bafana and Congo last Wednesday, oblivious to the fact that their presence was needed at the scenes of these accidents.
The city’s police also failed to respond to tow-truck operators’ call for assistance.
Transport, security and liaison MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana was at one of these accident scenes and also tried to get in contact with the police or the municipal traffic department without any success. Review was also at the scene, and on contacting the municipal traffic department, was told that no officers were available as they were all at the sports complex. Mokaba-Phukwana was forced to summon provincial traffic officials to come and assist. She indicated that she would not leave the matter there, and would take it up with the relevant departments.
Tow-truck operators told Review they had had enough of the negative attitude of police- and traffic officials in the city.
According to tow-truck operator Jacob Manamela, time and again they had to stay at the scene of an accident for hours on end. “We are not allowed to do anything before there are police- or traffic officials there. I have even tried to flag down passing police- or traffic vehicles, but they just ignore me and carry on driving,” he said. “They can summon all the relevant emergency personnel by using their two-way radio in their vehicle, but they won’t even do that,” he continued.
Another tow-truck operator said his money and time were valuable. “I can’t afford to waste any one of the two, but what other option do I have, especially if there are injured people who are affected,” he questioned.
Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, said the police strongly condemned the action by officers of the law who did not serve and protect as they were bound to do by law.
He said people could assist in gathering the information of officials who seemed to feel they were above the law. “Write down the vehicle registration number or the name of the official from his name badge and report them,” Ramoshaba said. He said it was unacceptable for people to wait for hours on end before being assisted and police officials found guilty of this would be dealt with.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the matter was being investigated, and it was not yet clear whether the traffic officials were attached to the municipality or the provincial department. She added that the primary role of traffic officers at the scene of an accident was to ensure that the traffic flow was not disturbed. “The recording of the accident and any injuries at the scene are the competency of the police,” she said. To report any accidents or submit complaints about municipal traffic officials contact (015) 290 2457/8.
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