GIYANI – Two police officers died instantly, when the vehicle in which they were driving was involved in a horrific accident last Friday morning. According to the spokesperson of the police in the Mopani area Capt Moatshe Ngoepe the incident took place along the Giyani-Dzumeri road.

In a statement, the police have indicated that the Toyota Venture carrying six officers was on its way from Thohoyandou to Bushbuckridge when the incident took place.

The statement further indicates that the police vehicle was attempting to overtake another vehicle when its driver decided to make a U-turn without looking at the mirrors. The police vehicle hit it and overturned several times before landing alongside the road.

Two of the occupants of the police vehicle, Insp Mashudu Edwin Mukwevho (40) and Insp Aifheli Reckson Mufunwaini were killed instantly. The other four occupants, one of which was critically injured were taken to the nearby Nkhensani Hospital.

The police have opened a case of culpable homicide following the incident. In the statement that was issued by the office of the Area Commissioner early this week the SAPS have indicated that they were gravely concerned about the number of members that they are losing almost every week.

In the statement the SAPS described the death of the two police officers as a big blow to both the department and the families of the deceased. The statement further reveal that the SAPS are losing their members almost every week through illness, suicide or accidents.

Apart from the two police officers that were killed in the accident, the SAPS will be burying two police officers this weekend. According to the statement the two officers who will be buried were lost through illness. One other police officer, which according to the statement passed away a fortnight, ago due to illness, was buried last weekend.

Realising that they are losing their members on a weekly basis, the SAPS have embarked on the recruitment for new members in the area. Despite all that the statement indicated that the criminals have no place in the area. This according to the statement is being influenced by the commitment and dedication among members who are stationed in the area.