Traffic officer dies in collision near Malelane

Sifiso Andries Lubisi. (Photo: Provided)

A traffic officer from the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga was killed in a collision on the N4 near Malelane on Friday morning.

Sifiso Andries Lubisi (39) was pronounced dead early this morning after the state vehicle in which he and two colleagues were traveling was involved in a collision at the intersection of the N4 toll road and the R570 road at Jeppes Reef.

According to the department, the state vehicle and an Audi sport utility vehicle collided side by side. After this, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided sideways with a truck.

Lubisi, who was a passenger in the government vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger sustained serious injuries and were taken to Mediclinic Mbombela for further treatment.

Jackie Macie, MEC for community safety, security and liaison in Mpumalanga, expressed his condolences to Lubisi’s family, friends and colleagues.

“This is a dark moment for law enforcement. It is especially painful because traffic officers put their lives on the line every day to prevent fatal collisions, only to lose their own lives on the road,” Macie said.

He also appealed to traffic officers not to be discouraged by the tragedy but to continue to enforce the law and help prevent road accidents.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.