POLOKWANE – Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye has strongly condemned the assault of a traffic officer at the scene of the jackknifed abnormal truck on the N1 South near Ysterberg on Friday.

According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the officer was managing traffic around the crash scene when he was attacked by a bus driver during the busy Weekend Ya Ma-Workers travel period.

Driver ignores officer’s instructions

Departmental information indicates that the incident occurred after the officer stopped a bus transporting schoolchildren. The driver ignored instructions from the officer and continued moving forward, forcing the officer to move out of the way for his safety.

The bus was later stopped and, after the driver exited the vehicle, an altercation broke out during which the officer was pushed and assaulted.

Mathye described the incident as unacceptable and said attacks on law enforcement officers performing their duties would not be tolerated.

Recovery team intervenes to help officer

She also commended members of the breakdown and recovery team working on the stranded truck for intervening during the incident and assisting the officer.

The MEC said the quick response from the technicians helped prevent the situation from escalating further.

Driver arrested, officer receiving treatment 

The driver was arrested at the scene, and a case was opened at the Westenburg Police Station. Charges include failing to comply with instructions of a traffic officer and assault.

The department confirmed that the suspect remains in custody.

The officer sustained injuries during the incident and is receiving medical treatment at Limpopo Mediclinic.

Mathye urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officers, particularly during periods of heavy traffic volumes and ongoing road incidents.