Mystery surrounds the explosion of an Opel Astra vehicle which burned to ashes near Burhmansdrift minutes after its owner was arrested by Ottoshoop police for alleged drunken driving outside Mafikeng on Saturday night.
Three policemen and a passenger from the vehicle were driving the vehicle from the scene of the arrest to the police station for safekeeping while the driver was being taken to Bophelong hospital for blood testing. They were visibly shaken and shocked by the explosion to put out the fire in time.
The arrested driver’s cooler box and remaining drinks were the only items that the police managed to salvage from the fiery vehicle.
The passenger who was with the driver at the time of the arrest said they were on their way to Mafikeng from Zeerust. Their vehicle was pulled over after police who were on patrol in the area noticed that it was straddling lanes and threatening accidents with oncoming traffic.
An Independent police captain rushed to the scene to take statements as part of an investigation into the incident.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
30 August 2009
