Mpumalanga Police issued a statement on Tuesday, 23 February about an incident where the driver of a state-owned vehicle allegedly looked intoxicated.
This incident reportedly occurred in Standerton in the early hours of Saturday, 20 February.
Police referred to the video that was circulating on various social media platforms.
According to their statement, all material misperceptions that the police officer was drunk, or under the influence of any intoxicating substance, can be refuted.
Police said the medical evidence at management’s disposal, has revealed that the officer was rather attacked by a certain medical condition.
The name of the condition cannot be disclosed to the public. It temporarily subjected him to a state of automatism.
Police confirmed that the police officer is attached to the Standerton Police Station and while on duty, suffered this medical attack.
“It was unknown to him and he has never suffered from it before,” the statement read.
“This resulted in him colliding with a brick wall of a private property.
“The doors of the vehicle were locked with the officer inside, alone.”
The statement also said the said condition rendered him motionless without anybody coming to his rescue, until he got assistance from other police members.
They came to the scene as soon as they were notified and used another key to open the door.
After realising he was unconscious, they took him to hospital for medical treatment.
The statement concluded with saying a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened for purposes of investigation.
“The police officer is slowly recovering and the necessary support from Employee Health and Wellness (EHW), within the service, is being given to him so that he can fully return to a normal state of health, mind and strength.”
