Rumbidzo Chikomo

Police Minister, Bheki Cele has called on law enforcers to toughen up on the bad behaviour brought on by alcohol after the death of three Tshwane Metro Police officers who were killed in a head-on collision with a suspected drunk driver.

The collision occurred in Pretoria during a police chase. A driver is said to have failed to stop at the order of police officers after being spotted driving irregularly.

According to Cele, the three officers in the vehicle and the suspected drunk driver all died on the scene.

A passenger, said to be female, who was travelling with the alleged drunk driver, is recovering in hospital. Empty and full bottles of alcohol were found inside the alleged drunk driver’s vehicle, Cele said.

The minister sent his condolences to the families of the deceased officers and at the same time denounced the reckless behaviour that has led to the senseless loss of lives.

“The lives of these young officers were cut short by a man who chose to drink and act irresponsibly. While the alcohol ban has been lifted under lockdown level 2, it remains the responsibility of those who consume alcohol to do so without putting themselves and those around them in danger. If alcohol was consumed at home as per the government’s directive, the loss of lives could have been avoided.”

Bheki Cele has also reminded South Africans that a 22:00 curfew is still in place.

“While this incident is a great loss to the Metro Police Department, police officers will continue, in their numbers, to enforce the law and clamp down hard on reckless behaviour brought on by alcohol abuse.”

Picture: tlkofthetown.co.za