A South African Police Service (SAPS) officer and four suspects were killed when their vehicle was involved in an accident on the M1 South between Corlett Drive and Athol Oakland near Melrose, Johannesburg, on Monday.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla told SA Trucker that the officer was reportedly transporting the suspects from court in an official vehicle when the accident happened.
Emergency Management Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba confirmed that one police officer and four suspects died.
It’s alleged that the police vehicle collided head-on with a Ford Ranger bakkie.
“This after the driver of the Ford Ranger allegedly lost control following a road rage incident with a Mini Cooper travelling north on the M1,” said paramedics.
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The bakkie then collided with other vehicles before crashing through the centre meridian and collided with the police van.
Multiple injuries were reported.
Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku said the cause of the accident was under investigation.
“What we know at the moment is that the accident involved five vehicles. The number of fatalities is also under investigation. The M1 South is completely closed near Corlett Drive,” he said.
