KwaZulu-Natal police sergeant killed in Inanda accident, firearm stolen from the scene
A police officer was killed in a road accident on Saturday. His state-issued firearm was stolen from the scene.
Image: Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA)
A KwaZulu-Natal police sergeant was killed in a collision in Inanda on Saturday afternoon, and his state-issued firearm was allegedly stolen from the scene.
Security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said that the fatal crash occurred on Jabu Ngcobo Road in Tea Estate, Inanda.
“Upon arrival, Reaction Officers discovered two extensively damaged vehicles,” RUSA said in a statement.
The uniformed officer, in a blue Hyundai i20, was reportedly travelling from Inanda. His vehicle and a grey Volvo S40 collided.
The impact forced the Hyundai i20 off the road and into nearby sugarcane fields.
According to RUSA, the deceased officer had been identified as a sergeant based at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA).
The collision also left two occupants in the Volvo injured.
“The Volvo S40 carried two female passengers, one of whom suffered a fractured hand and received immediate medical care from a private ambulance service at the scene,” RUSA reported.
While emergency responders attended to the accident, allegations emerged that the policeman’s service weapon, a 9mm Beretta pistol, was stolen before first responders arrived.
RUSA said the state firearm carries a serial no. P89936Z.
The security company said prior to first responders arriving, a crowd had gathered at the scene and two people were reportedly seen reaching into the vehicle and then walking towards a white VW Caddy.
RUSA further confirmed that it could not yet be verified whether the suspects had left before officers arrived. “This information was provided by witnesses on scene,” the statement said.
To assist the investigation, RUSA said it has provided camera footage of the scene to the police. “The RUSA Body Cam Policy requires every Reaction Officer to switch on their devices prior to arriving on the scene of any emergency and keep the cameras recording for the full duration. Vehicle-fitted dash cams and body cams have captured all vehicles leaving the vicinity and bystanders at the scene of the collision.
“The footage will be handed over to detectives who will be investigating the theft of the firearm,” the RUSA statement said.