Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

A case of culpable homicide is being investigated against Limpopo police commissioner Calvin Sengani after he allegedly knocked down and killed a pedestrian on Sunday.

Sengani was said to have been on the way to Malamulele when the accident happened. Limpopo police spokesman Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo yesterday confirmed the accident.

"A case of culpable homicide against the commissioner has been opened and relevant procedures would be followed," he said.

According to Mojapelo, the commissioner was driving on the Malamulele road when he knocked down and killed an 11-year-old girl.

"The girl was allegedly trying to cross the road when the car knocked her down, killing her instantly," he said. However, the accident has sparked a lot of controversy in Limpopo. Critics said proper procedures were not followed after the accident happened.

"Normally the commissioner should have undergone a blood test to determine whether the accident was due to driving under the influence of liquor. This was not done, simply because he is head of the police in the province," said a resident.

Another resident said the case was supposed to have been "investigated by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD). Instead it was investigated by ordinary police officers. This is unfair and needs to be investigated", he said.

"We usually send the case to the ICD only if there are suspicions that the driver was under the influence of liquor or was driving at a high speed," Mojapelo said.

Police identified the dead girl as Karen Mashimbjwe. Mojapelo said the commissioner felt "very sorry" about the accident.