Bheki Cele blames public consumption of alcohol for death of Tshwane metro policemen

The minister of police, Bheki Cele has expressed his anger on Monday on the death of three Tshwane metro police officers whose vehicle collided with a suspected drunk driver.

The minister who was in support of the ban on alcohol during the lockdown was saddened by the incident which happened on in the early hours of Sunday, few days after the ban was lifted.

“The lives of these young officers were cut short by a man who chose to drink and act irresponsibly.”

“While the alcohol ban has been lifted under lockdown level 2, it still remains the responsibility of those who consume alcohol to do so without putting themselves and those around them in danger,” said Cele.

“If alcohol was consumed at home as per government’s directive, the loss of lives could have been avoided.”

He further explained that the drunk driver and his passenger did not only break the law on drinking and driving but also broke the curfew which requires people to be indoors by 10pm.

Police minister urged law enforcers to put in more effort to make sure incidents like this are prevented from happening.

“While this incident is a great loss to the metro police department, police officers will continue in their numbers, to enforce the law and clamp down hard, especially on reckless behaviour brought on by alcohol abuse,” he added.

He forwarded his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.