SAPS dismisses suggestions Pretoria pedestrian died in ‘blue light convoy’ accident

“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]”.