Explanation given on reported irregularities from Albertina Sisulu Road JMPD vehicle accident

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) have offered an explanation on their officer’s conduct at an accident scene.

The incident occurred at the corner of Albertina Sisulu Road and 8th Avenue when the driver of a JMPD vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree shortly after 08:00 on Monday, March 28. The occupant of the house where the impact occurred documented the incident and noticed that the vehicle registration on the licence plate and licence disk did not match. Additionally, JMPD officers removed the licence disk, an act that was questioned by the resident.

JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, explained:

“JMPD can confirm that the vehicle in question was taken to a service provider last week, for the replacement of the windscreen which was damaged. The service provider has admitted that when they replaced the windscreen, they mistakenly swapped the Metro Police patrol vehicle’s licence disc with a disc of a private vehicle which does not belong to the Department, and they also acknowledge that both vehicles’ windscreens were fixed on the same day.

The licence disc was removed by officers from the patrol vehicle for the purpose of investigation and discontinuing the vehicle. Due to the severity of the accident, the vehicle has been deemed unroadworthy to be used on a public road. Any vehicle which is involved in serious accidents is deemed unroadworthy and officers must remove the licence disc of that vehicle and attach it to a discontinue notice. If the vehicle is eventually fixed, it needs to be retested for roadworthiness before it can be issued with a new licence disc and used on a public road.

“The cause of the accident is still being investigated by the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit. All accidents involving departmental vehicles have to be investigated by Internal Affairs.”