KZN traffic officer fighting for his life after alleged hit-and-run at roadblock
The safety of law enforcement officers on Midlands roads is in the spotlight as police investigate another incident linked to reckless driving.
A traffic officer enforcing road safety in Merrivale in Howick, KZN, on Tuesday night was seriously injured while on duty after a motorist allegedly failed to stop at a roadblock and struck him.
The Witness reports that the National Traffic Police officer was injured on the R617 near the Tumbleweed intersection and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson says emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at about 19:40.
“On arrival, crews found the patient had sustained serious injuries and was in a critical condition.
“Urgent advanced life support treatment was initiated on scene, with specialised medical equipment used to stabilise the patient and manage the injuries,” Robertson says.
Once stabilised, the officer was transported by ambulance under medical supervision to a level one trauma hospital, where he remains under care.
Mpophomeni police have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving following the incident.
KZN police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu says the driver stopped a short distance from the roadblock, but no charges have been laid yet.
“Investigations are continuing,” Ndlovu says.
The incident adds to a growing list of road-related attacks and accidents involving law enforcement officers in the Midlands.
In January last year, two Public Order Policing officers were injured on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg when a motorist allegedly drove into them after attending the Last Dance Festival.
The officers, who were reportedly outside their vehicle at the time, received treatment at St Anne’s Hospital.
In September 2023, a Road Traffic Inspectorate officer and a tow-truck operator were killed when a truck ploughed into an accident scene they were attending.
The truck driver was later convicted on two counts of culpable homicide and sentenced to direct imprisonment.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on witness.co.za
