A KZN family got a huge shock when a Plessislaer police van crashed into their home in Snathing, Pietermaritzburg, this week.

The police officer appears to have lost control of the vehicle on a bend and crashed into the home of former Msunduzi ward 11 councillor Themba Mdlangathion.

The incident on Tuesday morning left three people who were in the patrol van injured, with the driver reportedly being taken to hospital.

Before crashing into the house, the van appears to have hit an electricity pole and went through a fence. It then crashed into the garage and dining room of Mdlangathi’s home.

Speaking to The Witness, Mdlangathi says: “When we heard this bang, we rushed to check what was happening.

“Fortunately, there was no one in the dining room. This incident left us traumatised. Having your house damaged like this is heart-breaking.”

He says they don’t know how they will afford to repair their house.

“We were still busy with renovations before this incident occurred. The worst part is that my wife is the only person who is working now. It is going to be a mission to fix this mess. It looks like no action will be taken following this incident. We have not yet had any engagements with the police in terms of the process of fixing the house. They only told us not to touch anything,” says Mdlangathi.

He adds that they are scared to sleep in the house now because of the damage.

Ward councillor

Msunduzi Local Municipality ward 11 councillor Sanele Zuma says it is not the first time that something like this has happened.

“It worries us that the house that was damaged belongs to an elder from the area. It is not nice to wake up to find your house damaged. There are speed bumps where the incident occurred. When you approach that area, you are bound to lower your speed. We are grateful that no lives were lost.”

Zuma says they are busy with a project to paint the speed bumps on the roads in the area so that they are visible to drivers.

KZN police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala says a case of reckless and negligent driving has been opened for investigation.