VAAL MARINA.- Welcoming the New Year, the Vaal Marina SAPS are in mourning as they lost three members in an accident on the R54 towards Vaal Marina on December 21.

A case of culpable homicide is being investigated after two vehicles burned to ashes following the accident.

According to police, the driver of the police vehicle and his colleagues were returning to Vaal Marina on the R54 when the accident happened.

“The minibus taxi was driving in the oncoming lane towards the state vehicle which caused the head-on collision and both vehicles came to a standstill,” explained police spokesperson, Constable Tshilidzi de Huis. She added that the minibus and the state vehicle caught fire and burned to ashes. All the members of the state vehicle passed away inside the vehicle.

The minibus driver, only known as Bongani, also passed on.

“Vaal Marina lost good and dedicated soldiers. Drivers must be safe and adhere to the speed limit,” concluded Tshilidzi.

The deceased policemen were identified as Constable Niven Pungan, Constable Moeketsi Mjandani and Reservist Constable Lerata Tladi.