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The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi–Malobane, has learned with sadness the killing of a female Gauteng Traffic Police officer on Friday on the R80 road in Pretoria during “Operation ke Molao”.

Officer Thuli Shabangu was knocked down by a taxi whilst flagging it down. The taxi driver was arrested and charged with culpable homicide.

“The province has been robbed of a selfless and dedicated member of the Gauteng Traffic Police. Her untimely death happened in the backdrop of a massive operation to remove un-roadworthy passenger vehicles from the streets of Gauteng.

I appeal to the courts to expedite this case and give the perpetrator the harshest sentence. This will send a strong message to other taxi drivers and owners alike to respect the rules of the road and also to ensure their vehicles roadworthy at all times.

On behalf of the Gauteng City Region I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the Shabangu family, friends and the fellow Gauteng Traffic Police members,” said MEC Nkosi-Malobane.

Issued by Gauteng Community Safety