A case of culpable homicide has been opened following the deaths of four police officers and a civilian in a car accident outside Engcobo, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The officers were getting back from crime prevention operations in the Chris Hani District when the incident took place. It is not clear what resulted in the crash, and police believe the civilian was travelling in the car with the officers when the incident took place.
“The deceased members aged between 25 and 35 were stationed at the Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo districts respectively, and they include three males, one female who is a Public Service Act member and one civilian person,” according to Saps spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
Kinana said that culpable homicide unit would help them in figuring out that what led to the accident.
“As SAPS management, we are shattered by this sad news. We do not need this, and the untimely heart-breaking departure of our young and upcoming leaders has left us dumbfounded,” said Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga.
The names of the officers haven’t been released as the investigations were ongoing.
