Three police officers die in a horrific accident

Three police officers were lost in a deadly car crash on Wednesday morning in Vereeniging. This was announced to the South African Police Service (SAPS) management with regret and shock.

The three Vereeniging Police Station officers were engaged in crime prevention patrols at the time of the accident when a truck allegedly failed to stop at a four-way intersection. The truck struck the SAPS car and dragged it for at least 500 meters before coming to a stop. The three SAPS officers were pronounced dead on site.

The three officers have been identified as:
58-year-old Captain Shashape Theletsane, a member with 34 years’ service.
54-year-old Warrant Officer Aaron Mfazwe, a member with 26 years of service.
45-year-old Constable Timothy Mbele had been serving as a permanent employee for the past eight years, before this, the member had been serving as a police reservist for nine years.

The truck’s driver was later taken into custody. Investigations are ongoing in a case involving culpable homicide and reckless and irresponsible driving.

The death of these members takes place a few days after the annual SAPS Commemoration Day. Police members lost their lives while on duty during the 2021–2022 financial year. The National Commissioner expressed his sympathies to the members’ families and friends.

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