SAMWU saddened at the passing away of 3 officers while pursuing a suspect in Tshwane.

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Tshwane Region has learnt with great sadness and shock of the passing away of three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) Officers following a head-on collusion in the early hours of this morning. 

Information at our disposal indicate that the officers were backing up their colleagues who were in pursuit of a suspect vehicle that had failed to stop, but instead fled towards the N4. During the pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle collided head on with a TMPD vehicle,  leading to the untimely death of the  three officers. Two of the officers were members of the union. 

SAMWU sends its heartfelt condolences to the officers’ families, friends and colleagues during this time. It is unfortunate that the driver also died in the impact, we would have loved to see justice being served.  

Investigations have so far indicated that the driver of the vehicle was on the road outside the permitted hours as per the curfew. Police have also found opened bottles of alcohol in the suspect’s vehicle. . 

SAMWU  calls on all South Africans to be responsible and adhere to the Disaster Management Act (DMA)  regulations.  We further call on law enforcement agencies to not show any leniency to those in violation of  DMA regulations, particularly those who place others’ lives at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Issued by SAMWU Tshwane Region 

Mpho Tladinyane

Regional Secretary 

083 941 5888

Or 

Valentine Matlala

Deputy Regional Secretary

084 465 5598