THE Durban High Court has ordered the South African Police Service to pay an uMhlanga car dealership more than R1.2-million in compensation after one of its high-end luxury vehicles was wrecked in an accident caused by a policeman.

According to media reports, the Jaguar F type vehicle, valued at R1.3-million, was written off in the accident that took place on the N3 near the spaghetti junction in July 2013. It was later sold for scrap valued at R112 000. The dealership is said to have sued the policeman and the police minister for the difference.

Trevor Clack, the dealership’s brand manager, said he had taken the car on a test drive when the accident occurred.

The Jaguar was rear-ended by a taxi after it had to brake for a Mercedes driven by the police officer.

When the airbags were activated, they ‘propelled’ the Jaguar into the stationary Mercedes.

Clack also sustained head injuries in the crash while the taxi driver was killed in the collision.

SAPS Colonel Samuel Koopman, the policeman, claimed that he was forced to apply brakes after a white car had swung in front of him, but could not identify the car on video during his testimony.

During the trial, Judge Themba Sishi heard that Koopman and his colleague were on duty at the time of the accident and were on their way to a rugby championship in Margate.