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Eastern Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene has lamented the death of an officer in an accident in Motherwell in Gqeberha.
She further expressed her outrage at the theft of the policeman’s firearm from the accident scene on Sunday morning.
Police said 51-year-old Lieutenant-Colonel Sandila Matam, was driving in Tyinirha Street in the direction of the shopping centre at around 06:10 when his car was in a collision with a Toyota Quantum at a traffic circle.
“He passed away on the scene. The driver of the Quantum was arrested for drunken driving and culpable homicide,” said spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu.
She said while police were busy with the crime scene investigation, it was established that the officer’s 9mm state issued firearm was stolen.
A case of theft of firearm was opened for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old man in custody will appear in the Motherwell Magistrate Court on Monday.
