Residents of Bellville, Cape Town, are reeling after a tragic incident on the evening of Monday, 23 June, in which a police van collided with a delivery bike rider, resulting in the rider's death.
The incident, which occurred on Voortrekker Road in Bellville, is now under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the oversight body responsible for examining police misconduct and criminal acts.
According to witnesses, the police van drove into the back of the motorbike, causing the fatal crash. A video circulating widely on social media depicts the wrecked bike lying in front of a marked police van. The footage also shows the victim lying on the road, bleeding heavily, while a woman can be heard crying in the background.
One witness, who claims to have seen the entire incident from a nearby parking lot, placed the blame squarely on the police. "The bike driver had the right of way. The cops just crashed into him," the witness stated.
The witness further elaborated on the sequence of events, explaining: "The bike was driving in front of the bakkie while there was another vehicle in front of it. When the other car was about to turn, the bike slowed down, the police bakkie didn’t. This then led to the accident."
Another motorist who passed the scene before emergency services arrived described the biker's injuries as "terrible."
"Blood was coming from his head. I think he suffered head trauma. That's why he didn’t survive. I suspect when he was knocked, he landed badly on his head," the motorist said.
The identity of the deceased rider has not yet been made public. However, it has been confirmed that he was a Checkers Sixty60 delivery driver.
The viral video footage circulating on social media also captures the immediate aftermath of the collision. Voices can be heard at the scene alleging that the police bakkie moved into the wrong lane before hitting the delivery rider.
One woman is heard questioning the officer, asking: "Why did you overtake? What was the reason?"
A man's voice adds: "Why did you come that way?"
Another voice, speaking in Afrikaans, says: "Die man (delivery driver) ry hier en hy [the cop] kom van daai baan af en ry binne in die man" (The man [delivery driver] is driving here and he [the cop] comes from that lane and drives into the man).
The police officer, dressed in full uniform, can be seen speaking on the phone while emergency services attend to the scene.
SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the incident but referred all inquiries to IPID. "Kindly be informed that circumstances surrounding this incident cited in your enquiry are now the subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). Kindly forward your enquiry to the spokesman of the mentioned department for a response," said Swartbooi.
IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping told the Daily Voice: "The incident was reported to IPID and the matter is currently under investigation. We can only confirm issues relating to the accident once we are done with the investigation."
In response to the tragedy, the Shoprite Media Team, which oversees the Checkers brand, issued a statement expressing their condolences to the family of the deceased.
"The supermarket chain extends its sincere condolences to the family following their loss," the statement read. "The safety, health and well-being of our employees, including independent contractors such as delivery drivers, remains a top priority."
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and IPID is expected to release further details once their investigation is complete. The tragic death of the delivery rider has sparked outrage and grief in the Bellville community, raising questions about police conduct and road safety.
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