COPS have arrested a truck driver for refusing to be stopped after crashing into a traffic officer's vehicle on the N4 in Mpumalanga.
It's alleged that he was driving in front of oncoming traffic when efforts were made to stop him.
The 45-year-old was arrested on the spot.
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Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) department spokesman Moeti Mmusi said the incident happened on the N4 toll road in Komatipoort towards the Lebombo Border Gate on Saturday, 21 October.
“He was charged with reckless driving, failure to comply with the instruction of the traffic official and malicious damage to the state property. The truck was also impounded with its load. He is expected to appear in court soon,” said Mmusi.
Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL Vusi Shongwe welcomed the arrest and condemned the driver's behaviour.
He said: "This level of disrespect towards law enforcement officers and rules of the road will not be tolerated. While we understand the level of frustration that drivers at the border are sometimes subjected to due to long queues, no person is allowed to break the rules of the road or drive in a manner that endangers the lives of other road users including our officials.”
Shongwe also called on all members of the security cluster to show no leniency towards reckless truck drivers.
He said they must not be discouraged by dangerous and reckless truck drivers.
He further stated that the department is currently working with various stakeholders to deal with congestion at the border.
“DCSSL traffic officers have been working at night on a daily basis as part of interim measures to ease congestion at the border,” said Shongwe.
