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A female Eastern Cape Provincial traffic officer is fighting for her life in hospital after being injured in a freak accident on the R67 between Makhanda and Fort Beaufort.
Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said the incident happened on Tuesday when officer, Misiwe Nongalo and her son were travelling from Gqeberha to Whitelsea as she was on family responsibility leave.
He said as they were travelling on the road, a piece of metal came off a passing refrigerated truck and went through the window of the traffic officer’s car, piercing her in the upper body and rendering her unconscious.
“Her 16-year-old son who was with her in the vehicle managed to steer the vehicle away from a steep embankment and called for assistance,” he said.
EC Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha has extended sincere words of support to the injured officer and her family.
“We are grateful that Officer Nongalo’s life was spared from this very bizarre accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with her as she continues to receive medical attention in a hospital.”
“We also wish to extend a word of comfort to the young man who got to witness that. We salute him for his bravery, for being able to steer the vehicle away from further harm, and for calling for immediate assistance for his mother.”
Binqose said the truck did not stop at the scene.
He said Officer Nongalo was part of the Department’s Festive Season operations, primarily in the Sarah Baartman District, and was scheduled to be back from her family responsibility leave in time for the final lap of the festive season operations as we gear up for the New Year.
