Johannesburg – A man has been arrested for allegedly running over a Mpumalanga traffic officer, the provincial community safety department said on Saturday.

“The resultant accident happened [on Friday night] when one of the traffic officers, manning a routine operation, attempted to stop a Sedan which failed to stop,” spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said in a statement.

“The driver, who sped off immediately after the incident, was pursued by one of the traffic officers who brought him back to the scene.”

The incident happened on the R23 between Standerton and Val.

The officer was airlifted to Milpark hospital in Johannesburg.

The man was arrested within 1km from the scene.

He was charged with attempted murder, and reckless and negligent driving.

Another traffic officer suffered minor injuries due to the man allegedly resisting arrest.

The man was expected to appear in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

SAPA