A cyclist was killed by a Gauteng cop who was allegedly driving drunk, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
IPID has released its own summary of the incident. On Friday evening, a motorist in Vanderbijlpark noticed a police van driving recklessly and zig-zagging across the road. The motorist followed the van and saw that the police officer had driven straight through a red light.
The motorist then approached the van at the next stop. He tried to perform a citizens arrest on the police officer. Things then quickly escalated from there. The officer did not respond well at all.
Moments later, he drove straight into a cyclist and still did not stop.
“He then got out of his car and asked the police officer to give him his car keys so he can drive him to the nearest police station. The police officer refused to give him the car keys and immediately drove off. As he was driving, the car hit an unknown African male who was riding a bicycle. The police officer did not stop. He continued driving and the other driver(witness) followed him.”
IPID Spokesperson Grace Langa
The allegedly drunk police officer was eventually brought to a stop by his own colleagues. A witness immediately called the Vanderbijlpark police station after the cyclist was hit.
Officers managed to stop the van and arrest him for drunken driving. IPID has also confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened against the 27-year-old constable.