‘Drunk’ cop driver arrested for pedestrian’s death in Soshanguve

A police sergeant was arrested after he allegedly knocked over two minors – who were sitting at a Wi-Fi spot – while driving under the influence of alcohol, killing one of them.

The incident happened near Soshanguve Crossing on Tuesday.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said it was alleged that the off-duty sergeant was driving his private vehicle when he “lost control and struck two pedestrians”.

“A male pedestrian died on the scene while the female pedestrian was taken to hospital for medical treatment.”

Mawela said the sergeant was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and culpable homicide.

He said he has instructed the police station to institute internal disciplinary processes whilst the criminal case was underway.

“I will not keep an officer who breaks the law while the rest of the force is working hard to fight crime in our province. If found guilty, the officer must get the sentence he deserves. No one is above the law,” said Mawela.

A local taxi operator, who did not want to be named, said the two minors were sitting at a Wi-Fi spot when he saw the car hit them.

“The car lost control at the speed bump and failed to brake.

“What is scary is that it wasn’t like the children were playing in the road or crossing it, but that the car hit them while they were simply sitting there.”

He said he has seen a lot of people being dumped? by cars or taxis in the circle.

“There is a lot of traffic movement here and a lot of taxis that stop here to pick up passengers.

“Some of the drivers are reckless. I have seen several people being dumped by cars here so it is not safe,” he said.

“I think maybe if they can add a few more speed humps, things might be better.”

He added that some elderly people who want to cross the street to the shopping complex struggle because of busy traffic.

“Some of them even offer to pay me to help them because they fear that they might be hit by cars.”

He said that he thinks the Wi-Fi should be moved elsewhere before “something like this happens again”.

“I’m not against Wi-Fi but I think it wasn’t a great plan to put it here. There’s too much traffic and children as young as 11 come and sit here for the Wi-Fi. This place is too busy for children that young,” he said.

“I would advise parents to forbid their children from coming to this Wi-Fi spot because it is so dangerous. I would also like to warn residents or anyone who visits this area for shopping to be really careful when crossing the streets.”