Cop killed waving down speedster

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published May 21, 2014

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Johannesburg - An Ekurhuleni metro police officer was killed on Wednesday morning while trying to wave down a driver speeding through Springs.

According to Ekurhuleni metro police spokesman Superintendent Vusi Mabanga, the officer and a colleague were manning a speed trap on Kingsway Road when the accident occurred.

A man driving alone in his silver Volkswagen was allegedly speeding towards the trap when the officer moved into the road to wave him down. It is understood the driver tried to swerve away but failed.

The car ended up in the veld on the side of the road, with a shattered windscreen and damage to its front.

Mabanga said initial reports said the officer was hit and flung onto an island but ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the officer rolled over the car after being hit and landed in the road.

This could have been what caused the windscreen damage.

The officer was so badly injured he was declared dead almost immediately after paramedics arrived.

Meiring said those interviewed on the scene said there had been a protest nearby. Eyewitnesses had seen the car inching its way through the people, then speeding up.

But Mabanga said no protest had occurred on Wednesday morning, and that it was possible that a crowd of onlookers – not protesters – had only gathered after the accident took place.

The driver of the VW sedan, a man believed to be in his late forties, was arrested on the scene and will be charged with negligent and reckless driving, as well as culpable homicide.

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The Star

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