Merc spins out of control

While more than 50 policemen and at least 20 vehicles were stationed at the municipal chamber entrance in Mokopane on Tuesday, traffic and insurance personnel had to wait almost an hour for police to attend to an accident scene that morning only a street block away on the corner of Retief and Pretorius Streets.
The accident occurred when the driver of a Mercedes Benz lost control of his car while turning North into Pretorius Street after he pulled away from the four-way stop in Retief Street heading in the CBD’s direction.
After making almost a 360o circle the Mercedes finally came to a stop when it hit a stationary vehicle in Pretorius Street before smashing into another car parked on the sidewalk in front of the Kia dealership.
The accident occurred just after 10:00 in the morning. An hour and five phone calls later traffic personnel were still waiting on the scene for police to arrive. Despite the heavy police presence up the road, they were told there wasn’t a police vehicle available.
But when VisPol commander, Col. Isaac Mantjane intervened two police vehicles arrived on the scene within minutes.
Police spokesperson, Irene Masingi, later explained that local police were under orders from the provincial commissioner to concentrate all their efforts at the municipal chamber offices as the premier was expected to come to Mokopane on Tuesday. But by 15:00 police were still waiting for the premier who never showed up.
A case of reckless and negligent driving has been opened and is being investigated.