Thursday, February 27, 2014

Five killed in Limpopo explosion

No fear No Favour No Explosions........

Thursday 27 February 2014 - 7:14am  JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA



Govan Whittles 





JOHANNESBURG - Four police officers have been killed and three more rushed to hospital after a massive explosion on the N1 highway in Limpopo during the early hours of this morning.
It’s understood a grocery truck collided with another truck carrying blasting cartridges at around 1am on the stretch of tarmac between Mokopane and Polokwane.

Police were called to the scene and after they arrived, the truck carrying the cartridges exploded.

The four officers were killed instantly.
The police’s Ronel Otto says three others were injured and taken to hospital.

The driver of the grocery truck was in a critical condition, but died this morning.

Otto said, "The explosion caused a crater in the road and parts of the trucks are being found over 300m away."


EWNews

Police Investigating After Five Killed in Limpopo Highway Explosion


    Posted date:  February 27, 2014






The explosion was reportedly caused by a collision between a grocery truck and a truck carrying explosives. The explosives went off after police arrived on the scene. Four police officers were killed as well as the grocery truck driver.
The explosion ripped a crater into the road, and flung truck parts as far as 300 metres, said Limpopo police on Thursday. Three private cars were also reportedly damaged in the explosion.
In addition to the five killed three people were seriously injured and transported to hospital. One of the three is a police officer.
Police are investigating the incident and the N1 in that section is closed to traffic as forensic officers are on scene.


Five killed, three hurt in N1 explosion near Mokopane


Editor's update: This article has been updated with injured persons and a statement from Acting Government Communication and Information System CEO Phumla Williams and Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa. 


MOKOPANE - Five people have been killed and three injured in an explosion on the N1 near Mokopane in Limpopo. Four of those killed were four police officers.
They were attending to the scene of an accident after two trucks travelling in opposite directions crashed.
Police spokesperson Hangweni Mulaudsi told eNCA the officers had been attending the scene when one of the trucks carrying explosives detonated. He said those who were injured were taken to the Polokwane Medi Clinic for treatment. They were said to be in a serious but stable condition.
The N1 has been closed between Polokwane and Mokopane.
In a statement released by the government Acting Government Communication and Information System CEO Phumla Williams said, "It's a sad day for government and the people of the country to have lost men in the line of duty. Government offers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Government is confident that the South African Police Service will thoroughly investigate the incident." 
In a seperate statement Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa also offered his condolences to the families of those who died. 
"We are deeply saddened about this tragic loss of lives of our members, who died whilst on duty.  In their pursuit for safety, they served with dedication right until their untimely passing," read the statement. 
"Our hearts are filled with grief and sorrow because our nation, the South African Police Service and the people of Limpopo have been robbed of these dedicated members. On behalf of the police leadership, management and staff of the South African Police Service, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the families."
According to the statement Mthethwa was currently on route to Limpopo accompanied by the National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega. In addition, members of the Employee Health and Wellness team were also en route to the scene to offer the councelling to the families of the deceased. 
We'll bring you more details on that story as soon as they become available.
-eNCA


COMMENTS BY SONNY



THIS EXPLOSION LEAVES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

WILL THE ANC GOVERNMENT BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS ONE?







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