SAPS dismisses suggestions Pretoria pedestrian
died in ‘blue light convoy’ accident
Updated Nov.
21, 2016, 5:44 a.m. | By ANA
The South
African Police Service (SAPS) has denied that a pedestrian was killed in a
so-called “blue light convoy” accident in Pretoria on Friday night.
“The South African Police Service can confirm that
a pedestrian was regrettably knocked over by a police-owned vehicle on Friday,
18 November 2016 at approximately 11.50pm in Pretorius Street, Pretoria, as he
was crossing the road. The 59-year-old later passed away from the injuries
sustained,” Brigadier Mashadi Selepe said on Sunday.
The driver of the police vehicle,
a member of the presidential protection
unit,
was on duty at the time of the accident, which was
attended to by police members on duty. A case of culpable homicide was under
investigation and the police driver would give his full co-operation.
“While the police official was on duty, reports
claiming that the accident occurred while the vehicle was in a ‘blue light
convoy’ are completely incorrect. The car was not part of a convoy at the time
of the accident and there was no dignitary present in the vehicle or being
transported in a convoy.
“The South African Police Service conveys our
deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased man; our hearts go out to
them during their time of mourning,” Selepe said.
It was reported on Saturday that Johannesburg mayor
Herman Mashaba had tweeted: “I have just received the terrible news that
President [Jacob] Zuma’s blue lights brigades killed a friend, Solly Moutlana,
yesterday [Friday]”.
