Mpumalanga police probe motorist's cause of death amid claims of brutality at crash scene

News24

a day ago

Mpumalanga police are probing the death of a man who was involved in a collision with another vehicle.
This follows claims that the police assaulted the man at the scene of the crash.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has been roped in.
Mpumalanga police are investigating whether a 33-year-old man died in a collision in eMbalenhle in the early hours of Sunday or whether he died as a result of alleged police brutality at the scene of the crash.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdluli, preliminary reports indicated that police were called to the scene of a collision involving two vehicles on Sunday.
The man, who was the driver of one of the vehicles, was taken to a hospital but was certified dead on arrival.
The other driver escaped unharmed.
The investigation took a turn when allegations emerged that three police officers may have assaulted the man after the accident.
As part of the investigation, authorities will focus on the cause of the victim's injuries and the events leading to his death, Mdluli said.
'An internal investigation has been launched immediately, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been notified and is conducting its own probe,' he added.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, said the police were committed to transparency and accountability.
'It is imperative that we uphold the highest standards of integrity within our ranks. Should it be established that SAPS members are implicated in the victim's death, there will be no leniency.
'We will pursue criminal charges against anyone found to have violated the code of conduct. Our aim is to ensure accountability and restore the community's trust in the police service,' Mkhwanazi added.