An official from the forensic pathology services in Potchefstroom allegedly crashed a state vehicle worth R400 000 while travelling to Ventersdorp with a girlfriend last Monday.
According to a source, the 30-year-old transport and logistics manager at the pathology services is back at work and no serious steps have been taken against him. ‘This misuse of the state vehicle constitutes serious misconduct yet he was not suspended or fired. It is unfair that he does as he pleases without any consequences.’ The source says the official has the authority to sign out the vehicles anytime he wants and, in the process, used the vehicle for personal errands.
From what can be established, the official was off duty and was not attending to any crime scene. He had no approved itinerary and was running his own errands when he crashed the state vehicle at 02:00 on Monday morning. The car rolled on the way and, while he sustained minor injuries, his 25-year-old girlfriend sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Potchefstroom Hospital.
Tebogo Lekgethwane, the provincial spokesperson for health, says the matter is currently under investigation. He confirmed that Buthelezi EMRS from Ventersdorp Hospital dispatched the couple at 09:20 on 30 January. He says they both received medical attention at Potchefstroom Herald.
‘The officer is temporarily suspended from driving state vehicles,’ he concluded.
