On-duty traffic officer hit, killed by taxi
WHILE trying to keep the streets safe, a Durban Metro Police officer was knocked down and killed by a taxi in Amanzimtoti on Friday night.
Inspector Johan Deysel, 59, who had been a Metro Police officer for the past 23 years, was on duty near the Galleria Mall when he tried to stop the taxi before it hit him.
A 22-year-old suspect was arrested on the scene and will appear in court this week.
Police spokesperson Parboo Sewpersad said that the incident happened in full view of the officers on duty.
“It was a police operation and he was in full police uniform. Inspector Deysel tried to stop a taxi which then collided with him,” Sewpersad said.
He said the driver of the vehicle was arrested on charges of culpable homicide and negligent driving. “We can confirm that an investigation has been opened and that the suspect has been detained at Amanzimtoti.”
Deysel, the father of a little girl, was part of the Isipingo Operations Unit.
“At this stage, we still cannot comprehend what has happened. The executive management of the unit and the police officers extend our deepest condolences to Inspector Deysel’s immediate family and friends,” Sewpersad said. Deysel is also survived by his wife.
Sewpersad described Deysel as a hard-working police officer who was dedicated to his job. Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the Amanzimtoti SAPS were investigating a case of culpable homicide. She said Deysel had sustained head injuries and was declared dead at the scene.