SEDIBENG.- Two of the three Vaal Marina policemen that were involved in an accident with a taxi were laid to rest over the weekend.

Sedibeng Ster reported that welcoming the New Year, the Vaal Marina SAPS members are in mourning as they lost three members in an accident on the R54 towards Vaal Marina on December 21, and that 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. The minibus and the state vehicle caught fire and burned to ashes. All the members of the state vehicle passed away inside the vehicle,” police said.

The minibus driver, only known as Bongani, also passed on. The deceased policemen were identified as Constable Niven Pungan, Constable Moeketsi Mjandani and Reservist Constable Lerata Tladi.

On Saturday, Constable Mjandani and Reservist Constable Tladi were laid to rest.

Constable Pungan had already been laid to rest on December 26. The funeral services at Vereeniging Civic Hall (in December), Saul Tsotetsi Sports Center, and Zone 14 Sebokeng were all attended in numbers by police officers from all over Sedibeng District, Gauteng Traffic, Emfuleni Traffic, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, CPF, Patrollers, SAPU and POPCRU.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane said that Constable Pungan’s funeral was held at the Vereeniging Civic Hall on December 26, while Reservist Tladi’s was held at Saul Tsotetsi Sports Centre, and Constable Mjandani’s funeral was held at his home in Zone 14, Sebokeng over the weekend.

The Gauteng Provincial Drill Squad, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sandile Mkhize, gave the deceased a distinguished sent off by marching and leading the parade.

About the deaths, the District Commissioner Major General Nkhensani Mukwevho said that when she says ‘Good morning’ at any time of the day, it is because as a police officer, it is not guaranteed that one will go back home.

“It is therefore the words ‘Good morning’ that reminds us that we are still alive.”

She extended her sincere condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and the community at large.