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- A Mpumalanga traffic officer was killed on Monday afternoon on the R544 between Emalahleni and Kriel.
- The officer was attempting to stop a light delivery vehicle when it hit her.
- Her death comes only weeks after another officer was hit by a truck in Middelburg.
A Mpumalanga traffic officer has died after she was hit by a vehicle she was trying to stop on the R544 between Emalahleni and Kriel.
Innocentia Mlangeni, 47, was carrying out routine law enforcement work on Monday afternoon when she noticed a driver of a light delivery vehicle overtaking dangerously.
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Mlangeni then attempted to stop the vehicle, but it ploughed into her. The driver stopped after the collision and was arrested at the scene, said Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi.
An investigation into the incident was already under way, said Mmusi, and the driver was expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Acting Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Speedy Mashilo called on motorists to respect all law enforcement officers on the road, saying that they were "on the road to… to save lives".
READ | Mpumalanga traffic cop killed after being knocked down by truck he was directing to weighbridge
"Although the incident is under investigation, we believe, with great caution on the part of motorists, such gruesomeness could have been avoided. Motorists must respect law enforcement officers and the rules of the road at all times. This will help in reducing road crashes," Mashilo said.
Last month, a Mpumalanga traffic officer died after being struck by a truck. Gijimane July Nkabinde, 57, was directing the truck to the Middelburg weighbridge when it crashed into him.
The driver of the truck has since been arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
