I have learnt, with great sadness that two female JMPD officers were fatally wounded yesterday evening whilst on duty.
Several JMPD officers were deployed to their usual roadside check-duty on Witkoppen Road near Monte Casino last night, and have pulled over three vehicles for a routine check when the driver of a double cab vehicle crashed into them.
Two of our female officers were fatally wounded; two other female officers, two passengers from the stopped vehicles as well as the driver of the double cab were seriously injured and taken to hospital by Emergency Management Services.
MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Michael Sun and I are bereaved that the City has lost more JMPD officers in such a manner.
It is believed that the driver who caused the accident was severely intoxicated at the time of the incident. Over the course of the past weekend alone, JMPD arrested 308 drunk drivers in Johannesburg. The driver of the double cab was arrested on the scene and blood samples were taken. It was later confirmed that the driver was three times over the limit, with more intoxicating substances found in the vehicle. He is currently detained at the Sandton Police Station and we will ensure that he face the full might of the law, including charges for murder.
The Department of Public Safety has recently launched a pilot project which aims to make JMPD officers more visible to approaching traffic while on duty, by wearing a body-light device on their uniform. The Department is also continuously driving safety awareness campaigns throughout the City.
We will not tolerate such reckless and criminal behaviour. Driving under the influence not only puts the driver of the vehicle at risk, but also places all other road users at risk as well.
We send our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased JMPD officers, who was also our colleagues and friends. MMC Sun and I will visit the families this morning, as well as the injured officers in hospital, during the course of the day.
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
