Picture: North West Police officer, Sgt Sylvester Tokotshane who died in a car accident in Engcobo, Eastern Cape
MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane sent his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of South African Police Services (SAPS) officials who died in a car accident on duty at Engcobo in Eastern Cape in the early hours of Tuesday.
Motlhabane said Sgt Sylvester Tokotshane (33), Const Kgathatso Tawo (34) both from Taung and Const Modisagaarekwe Kodisang (35) from Madibogo village near Mahikeng died in the fatal accident, while one police officer survived the accident. He was ferried to a local hospital for medical attention.
“We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of three Provincial Tracking Team members who died due to a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of Tuesday at Engcobo, in Eastern Cape. We also wish a speedy recovery to the fourth member who was seriously injured.
“Contrary to earlier reports, the members were neither in the Eastern Cape to attend a memorial service nor as part of a team assigned to investigate the incident that occurred in Engcobo last week. They departed from Potchefstroom to Mthatha in Eastern Cape on Monday afternoon,” he said.
Motlhabane further said the deceased were tracing a suspect on two cases of murder, rape and assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) that were reported in the province between 2008 and 2011. He added that according to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the members’ vehicle collided with a stray animal along R61 road near Xholosini village, in Engcobo.
North West Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Baile Motswenyane shared the same sentiments. Motswenyane said three members died instantly while the fourth one was seriously injured and transported to hospital for medical attention.
“This is an unfortunate and tragic incident in which we lost three of our committed members in the line of duty. We pray that the families and members of the South African Police Service in the province have the strength to endure in this moment of grief,” she said.
Tokotshane’s childhood friend, Bakang Mankuroane said: “Crosby, as we affectionately knew Tokotshane was a very sweet soul with a mixture of a quite persona in real life, but very naughty character on social media. Most of us met Crosby through Facebook, yet he treated all of us as his close friends in real life.
“He also treated us with love and respect and he was one of the most proactive and reliable members of the SAPS in the North West. Testimony to that lies in the fact that he lost his life while on duty after being assigned to go to Engocbo. Condolences are extended to the Tokotshane family, SAPS, Taung community and all his friends.”
Makuroane further said the community of Taung lost one of the greatest sons of the soil in Tokotshane. He added that the life of Tokotshane will always be celebrated and cherished.
taungdailynews@gmail.com
The Guardian 