Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for a truck driver whose truck allegedly hit a traffic officer and failed to stop after the accident on Sunday morning near Komatipoort.
The traffic officer died on the spot.
Mpumalanga’s acting MEC for community safety, security and liaison Busisiwe Shiba has expressed shock at the incident in which the traffic officer was killed while on duty along the N4 toll road.
According to Shiba, the 58-year-old male was hit by a truck the officer was trying to stop while he was performing his regular duties. “It is alleged the truck driver failed to stop at the scene. The police and traffic officers are in pursuit of the suspect.
Watch | Trucker Speeds Off With Traffic Cop Clinging to Bumper in Komatipoort
“Without casting any aspersions on these crashes, we want those who may be in the wrong to face the full consequences of their actions. The investigators must help us determine what really went wrong so that we may address it. Furthermore, we are appealing to truck drivers to be considerate when using the road and always prioritise not only their lives, but that of other road users, including our law enforcement officers,” she says.
Shiba went on to encourage traffic law enforcement officers to be more vigilant, adding that some road users are malicious and become difficult when stopped.
She adds the officials must safeguard themselves and their colleagues from being harmed by the recklessness of other road users in their quest to make our roads safer.
Shiba expresses her condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.
