UPDATE: Herman Mashaba visits one deceased officer’s family
PAULSHOF – Three occupants from one of the stationary vehicles had to be rescued by the local fire department.
Update, 30 January, 5pm
The City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun sent his deepest condolences to the families of two female officers who were killed by a drunk driver on 29 January.
“Reports from the scene indicated that a vehicle crashed into parked vehicles at the roadblock killing two officers and injuring passengers on Witkoppen Road near Montecasino,” Sun said.
He added that the alleged drunk driver of a Toyota Hilux drove into a BMW, Hyundai and a Porsche that had been pulled over, and into the officers.
Sun said paramedics attended to the injured officials and unfortunately two officers were declared dead at the scene and one sustained minor injuries.
“The driver has since been arrested and taken for blood samples. He is detained at the Sandton Police Station.”
He said he and Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba had visited the family of one of the officers who died to pay their respects. “We will, later on, visit the other officer’s family and the officer in hospital,” said Sun. “Our condolences go to the family and colleagues of the fallen officers and we wish the officer in hospital a speedy recovery.”
Sun added that in the past week, the Metro police had arrested 308 motorists. “This kind of behaviour and reckless driving is absolutely unacceptable. We want to ensure that the culprit, in this case, will face the full might of the law.”
Update, 30 January, 7.32am
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has confirmed that two female officers were killed last night, 29 January, after a drunken driver ploughed through a roadside check at 9pm.
The incident occurred on Witkoppen Road near Montecasino where the driver of a Toyota Hilux drove into a group of officers, as well as a BMW, Hyundai, and Porsche that had been pulled over.
Two passengers and the driver of the Hyundai were seriously injured. The drivers of the BMW and Porsche were slightly injured, along with two officers.
The driver of the Toyota Hilux was arrested, taken for a blood sample and detained at Sandton Police Station.
Chief of Police David Tembe said, “I don’t know what to say anymore when we have to lose our own while serving the community, and while we are trying to so hard to stop drunken driving and reduce fatalities. [However], we will continue to perform our duty and to serve our community.”
According to Werner Vermaak, ER24, there was nothing that paramedics could do for the two officers and they were declared dead at the scene.
Three occupants from one of the stationary vehicles had to be rescued by the local fire department. The injured were later transported to a nearby hospital for further care.
The collision will be investigated by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.
#ATT #AVOID #FatalWitkoppenRoadblock
Scene of the crash where 2 JMPD officers lost their lives, 2 people critically injured, 3 others seriously injured and one other minor injury. RIP to the officers. pic.twitter.com/m2Um41AwTq— Cliff – That's All (@PigSpotter) January 29, 2018
So sad, I drove through that roadblock last night on my way home, they were so friendly and pleasant to deal with. They could have been given more lighting to help with visibility. People were flying down the hill towards them and slamming on the brakes at the last second.
— Andrew Shough (@MrThirsty) January 30, 2018
Tragic but JMPD continuously set up these road blocks in potentially dangerous locations. Surprised this hasn’t happened more often!
— @MrsB (@logicaldi) January 30, 2018
No…. so sad to read this as they were friendly and above board. I went through 4 times tonight. They were eventually laughing at me. RIP. Prayers with loved ones 😭
— Jenny (@JennyHib) January 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/jostephan/status/958071065607057408
Original report, 29 January, 10.13pm
A driver is said to have ploughed through a Metro police roadblock on Witkoppen Road on Monday evening.
Motorists travelling on Witkoppen Road in Paulshof tweeted warnings of the collision to others.
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The roadblock had been set up on Witkoppen Road between Cambridge Road and Estelle Road.
According to PigSpotter on Twitter, due to the incident, the road was closed in both directions.
Some community members in the Paulshof area reported hearing a helicopter circling the scene.
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Others took to Twitter to describe the scene, such as Elmo, who said, “I’ve never seen so many cops and ambulances.”
Another Twitter user said one car had overturned. Other Facebook users also said they had seen one car overturned.
Chairperson of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF), Jean Berdou, said the CPF recognised the incredible work that men in uniform do. “This incident is a sharp reminder of the risks our police officers take in serving the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all concerned at this time,” said Berdou.
The Fourways Review will update with further information as soon as it comes to light.
https://twitter.com/_boeboes/status/958056901295726593
A car has just overturned on Witkoppen as you’re heading towards Sunninghill, the road is closed. Emergency services on scene. Cc @TrafficSA
— Babes WamaVeg👸🏾 (@Kearabilwe_CM) January 29, 2018
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Did you drive past the incident? Share what you saw in the comments section below
