×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Three cops die in highway tragedy

OVERTURNED: Three police officers died and two were seriously injured when their vehicle overturned yesterday morning. Pic. Lucky Nxumalo. 13/06/07. © Sowetan.
OVERTURNED: Three police officers died and two were seriously injured when their vehicle overturned yesterday morning. Pic. Lucky Nxumalo. 13/06/07. © Sowetan.

Sibongile Mashaba

Sibongile Mashaba

Three police officers, including a woman, were killed and two seriously injured when their vehicle overturned on the N1 South near Devland, Johannesburg, yesterday.

The five, four male police officers and a Johannesburg Metro policewoman, had just completed night duty and were on their way home. They were all stationed at the Fairlands police station.

Metro police said the officers were on their way to drop off a colleague in Protea Glen, Soweto, when the accident happened.

Only one officer, the Metro policewoman Nokuthula Mangete, 28, has been identified.

The others will be named as soon as their next-of-kin had been notified, said police.

Spokesman Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned, landing on the centre island, he said.

"The female occupant was flung out of the car and died instantly," said Minnaar.

He said Mangete was new in the force and she was doing field training after having completed her police training course in July last year.

"She was doing field training at the Fairlands station," said Minnaar.

The two injured policemen were taken to Lenmed Clinic in Lenasia.

The accident caused a backlog in morning peak-hour traffic on the highway.

Minnaar said police were investigating the cause of the accident.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.