Mozambican taxi driver arrested for driving over traffic cop

A Mozambican taxi owner was arrested after a law enforcement officer was killed on the N4 toll road in the early hours of Monday morning.

The traffic officer, Kgaugelo Moela, was fatally knocked down while on duty in the early hours of Sunday morning, along the N4 toll road at Alkmar, just outside Mbombela.

The minibus driver fled the scene of the accident and was later arrested while trying to catch a taxi to Mozambique.

Since 2024 to date, seven traffic law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in the Mpumalanga province.

The latest law enforcement officer to lose his life was Moela, who was stationed within the Transport Inspectorate.

The victim’s family want justice to prevail, as a case of culpable homicide is investigated.

Family Spokesperson, Bennedict Mashego says, “We are really broken as a family, and it’s not something good, but we just hope that the law will take its course.”

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport sent their condolences to the family.

Public Works, Roads and Transport Spokesperson, Bongani Dlamini, says, ”The circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are still under investigation as it occurred during the early hours of the morning while a team of transport inspectors was conducting its duties. We are awaiting the full investigation from the SAPS, which will provide a clear clarity as to exactly what happened.”

The South African Police Union (SAPU) in Mpumalanga is concerned about their members getting killed, while on duty.

Provincial Spokesperson, Jerry Maseko says they proposed government should from time to time organise refresher courses for their employees.

“Our members can be given refresher courses which is also going to assist them in order to refresh how they can conduct themselves while doing their duties. They will also be sensitised how they can prevent such incidents in order to perform their duties.”

Community Safety Security and Liaison MEC, Jackie Macie says the department will engage with the International Relations Ministry to deal with cases involving foreign nationals for extradition.

“You recall that the N4 Toll Road is one of our strategic roads in terms of accidents that involve foreign nationals. We are going to engage with the Minister of International Relations and other stakeholders that deal with protocols between Mozambique and South Africa.”

The Mozambican Taxi driver is expected to appear in court on Wednesday and Moela is expected to be laid to rest on Saturday in Phola in Masoyi, north of Mbombela in Mpumalanga. – Reporting by Motsebi wa Monareng