On Sunday morning, a South African Police Service (SAPS) officer died as a result of an accident in Mpumalanga. The unnamed SAPS officer was a part of Deputy President David Mabuza’s motorcade, according to a statement issued by the SAPS on Sunday afternoon.
“The SAPS confirms that at about 10:30 on Sunday, 20 November 2022, the deputy president’s motorcade was traveling between Mpumalanga and Gauteng when one of the backup vehicles’ tyres burst, causing the vehicle to roll over,” the statement read.”The management of the SAPS is saddened by the death of one of its members.”Three members of the motorcade suffered significant injuries, and one of them was later pronounced dead. The hospital was notified to treat the others. The families have been notified by the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Unit.
The incident took place In Middelburg, Mpumalanga, a police officer lost a life when the tyres on one of the cars in Mabuza’s motorcade burst, leading the motorcade to lose control. The officer was pronounced deceased at the scene of the incident. The South African Police Service (Saps) management is grieved by the death of one of its employees, stated the police spokesman Colonel Athlenda Mathe. “The Saps confirms that at about 10:30 on Sunday, 20 November 2022, the Deputy President’s (David Mabuza) motorcade was travelling between Mpumalanga and Gauteng when one of the back-up vehicles’ tyre burst, causing the vehicle to roll over. Three members who were in the vehicle in the David Mabuza motorcade sustained serious injuries. One of these members was declared dead at the scene while the other two were transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention,” Mathe said.”
Mathe indicated that the families of the deceased member and the injured member had been contacted by the Saps Employee Health and Wellness section. “The National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has on behalf of the Saps sent his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased member and also wished the injured members a speedy recovery.” Mathe also said an inquiry into a case of culpable homicide has been opened at the Middleburg police station.
Mabuza’s motorcade was involved in a collision on the N1 in Midrand, Johannesburg, in July. Two officers were involved in the accident, and both received minor injuries. They were treated and discharged the same day. Mabuza was not part of the motorcade
Blue light brigade
The Presidential Protection Unit (PPU), or infamous “blue light brigade,” which transports politicians on the nation’s roads, particularly on major highways, continued to pose a threat to motorists’ safety, and their operation should be reviewed, according to the Automobile Association (AA) earlier this year. Mzwandile Masina, the former mayor of Ekurhuleni, was involved in a high-speed car accident, one of the unit’s more notable events. On August 20, 2020, at around midnight, the accident allegedly occurred. On the N12 motorway in Johannesburg, a truck’s back was struck by a BMW 540i that was allegedly being driven by Masina.
The association stated that it intended to meet with the ministries of police and transportation to discuss the urgent need for the review to be implemented. “Blue light brigades are, simply put, a threat to other drivers. There is growing anecdotal evidence that PPU drivers are aggressive to other road users, that they speed way above the applicable speed limits, that they swerve dangerously in and out of traffic, and that they disrespect other road users. But the blame is not only theirs; their passengers are as much to blame, if not more so than they are,” said the AA
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