The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) have arrested a police officer aged 27 for hit and run, culpable homicide and drink and driving after he allegedly hit a cyclist while driving a police marked van on Friday at about 7pm.
IPID on Sunday said a motorist had tried to stop the police constable from driving before he allegedly knocked down a man on a bicycle, killing him.
IPID spokesperson Grace Langa said: “On Friday, February 4 at about 7pm, a motorist was driving a vehicle on the R59 towards Vanderbijlpark when he noticed a police marked van which was zig-zagging across the road. The police van took an off-ramp at the R42, and the motorist followed the police van because he said, ’the driver was driving recklessly
“On the corner of Andries Potgieter Street and Play Boulevard, the traffic lights turned red, but the police officer did not stop and the passenger of the motorist (witness) asked the officer to stop the van, because they could see that the (policeman) might cause an accident.
“He then got out of his car and asked the police officer to give him his car keys so he can drive him to the nearest police station. The police officer refused to give him the car keys and immediately drove off.
“As he was driving, the car hit an unknown male, who was riding a bicycle. The police officer did not stop. He continued driving and the other driver followed him,” Langa said.
The motorist immediately reported the incident to the police.
Officers from Vanderbijlpark were able to stop the policeman and arrest him.
“He was arrested for drunk driving. A case of culpable homicide was also opened,” Langa said.
