Woman threatens cops with premier
Allegations that a woman who was arrested for drunken driving over the weekend, was premier Stanley Mathabatha's personal assistant, were flatly denied by his spokesperson, Kenny Mathivha yesterday (Monday).
POLOKWANE – Allegations that a woman who was arrested for drunken driving over the weekend, was premier Stanley Mathabatha’s personal assistant, were flatly denied by his spokesperson, Kenny Mathivha yesterday (Monday).
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala said the woman, Salome Mokgaphane (39), was arrested during a routine patrol in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“The woman is attached to the office of the premier as a human capital investment manager and was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol as well as reckless and negligent driving in Landdros Maré Street,” Phala said.
It is alleged that the woman was stopped because she was driving the wrong way in the one-way street, into oncoming traffic. “The woman was uncooperative and told police that she saw nothing wrong with driving into the oncoming traffic. She also threatened the police officials, saying she would strip them of their badges. She claimed to be the premier’s personal assistant, saying he (Stanley Mathabatha) was only a call away.
“Further investigation led the police to believe that she was heavily under the influence of alcohol, and she was subsequently arrested,” Phala said.
According to Kenneth Mathivha the woman is not the PA of the premier and the office is still determining what steps will be taken against the person.
At the time of going to print yesterday, Mokgaphane was still in custody and due to appear before the Polokwane magistrate’s court.
Drunken driving is one of the main causes of fatal killings on public roads and these accidents occur daily. “We will not despair in terms of policing our roads all the time including the early hours of the morning to make sure that reckless or negligent drivers are removed from the public roads,” Phala said.
