Cop passes out at traffic light

2008-05-06 21:49

Thohoyandou - A Limpopo policeman has appeared in court after colleagues allegedly found him passed out drunk in his car with an open can of beer on the dashboard.

The 45-year-old senior superintendent who works in the Limpopo police's provincial office was off-duty at the time, but is also accused of trying to use his position to try get out of being taken to hospital for blood alcohol tests.

He was arrested at a traffic light at about 20:30 in Thohoyandou on Sunday night after other motorists called the police to complain that his car was blocking traffic.

He was charged with drunk driving, obstructing other road users, defeating the ends of justice and reckless or negligent driving.

He was not asked to plead when he appeared briefly in the Thohoyandou magistrate's court on Monday.

He was told to appear again on June 12.

Thohoyandou police area spokesperson Captain Mashudu Malelo said on Tuesday that five closed cans of beer were also found on the back seat of the car.

Limpopo police spokesperson Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said an internal investigation was also being held.

- African Eye