I took pills – ‘cop ‘killer’

Driver crashed into officers at roadblock

The alleged drunk driver who ploughed into two Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers at a roadblock has told a court that he had been on medication and had taken alcohol on the night of the incident.

Albert Pretorius‚ 41‚ of Paulshof‚ who is accused of culpable homicide for the deaths of two female JMPD officers‚ Winnie Mokgolo‚ 35‚ and Sophie Ngoasheng‚ 45, appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Pretorius is facing two counts of culpable homicide and one of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“In December, I experienced a pinched nerve on my leg and including my back. I contacted a chiropractor who prescribed medication. I wish to place it on record that I have been on that medication since December to date‚” he said in an affidavit read in court.

“I consumed approximately three alcoholic beverages. Three hours later‚ I went home.”

Pretorius said he had been driving at 80km/h which‚ according to him‚ was the legal speed limit. “The visibility of the road was affected by the dark conditions that prevailed all the time and I could not see any roadblock.

“The next thing I recall was that I was taken out of my vehicle by what appeared to be metro police officers. I am told they were conducting a roadblock,” said Pretorius.

He told the court he was assaulted by “several” police officers.

Magistrate Renier Boshoff postponed the bail application to today for the state to take pictures of the scene so he could ascertain the visibility of the metro police officers.

Prosecutor Godfrey Maphiri is opposing bail. –