PH
Durban – Police in Hillcrest are investigating a case of culpable homicide after an eThekwini Metro Police officer was knocked down by a minibus taxi while on duty on Thursday.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Jay Naicker said inspector Zabo Mkhize, 56, based at Gillitts near Pinetown, was performing his duties when he was struck on the M13 highway at around 07:00.
Michelle Smith, a paramedic from Meditech, said her team went to the scene after receiving a call at around 08:00.
“It is alleged that [Mkhize] was attempting to pull over another vehicle when the taxi hit him. He was declared dead at the scene after sustaining serious injuries,” she said.
Spokesperson for the eThekwini Metro Police Eugene Msomi said the driver was arrested and charged with reckless and negligent driving. Additional charges may be added once the investigation has been concluded.
“As the Metro Police family, we are devastated by this unnecessary loss and we would like convey our sincerest heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
“We will honour him by ensuring that we see to it that justice is served. We have already advised his wife and children that we are prepared to assist the best we can in terms of funeral arrangements,” said Msomi.
Last month another officer was seriously injured when he was hit by a car at an accident scenein Umhlanga.
In a similar incident in 2011, a Road Traffic Inspectorate officer was knocked down by a truck on the N3 south-bound near Town Hill while she was signalling other motorists to stop.
