Shock as police vehicle accidents balloon
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday February 17, 2016 16:10
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that statistically, police officers are in the wrong in most of the accidents.
Records show that in 2014, a total of 376-road accidents were recorded involving police motor vehicles, of which police drivers were at fault and subsequently charged in 133 cases.
In 2015, 441 were recorded with 22 officers at fault and charged.
Speaking at a police workshop, Kgathi also revealed that this year alone, 29 accidents involving police cars were recorded in January with 13 police officers at fault and charged.
“For February to date already nine cases have been recorded and six police officers were at fault and charged,” Kgathi said.
Kgathi also said that the Southern Division was the leading culprit with 93 cases in 2014, followed by South Central with 84.
“In 2015 it was a reverse as South Central was leading with 132 and Southern Division followed with 104 accidents recorded.
“At the rate which the police are wrecking their own fleet, I am concerned as the minister responsible that we may fail in our efforts at reducing crime due to lack of transport,” he said.
Meanwhile, six officers were injured on Monday evening in a horrific accident at Molapo Crossing in Gaborone, police spokesperson, Christopher Mbulawa confirmed.
“The accident happened around 6:50pm at the Molapo Crossing intersection and six police officers were injured.
“Some have since been discharged and only two are still hospitalised,” he said.
“No one was injured from the other car.”
Mbulawa, however, refuted allegations that most accidents involving police cars are due to their failure to obey road traffic rules.