ANC CALLS FOR INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO POLICE TRAINING TRAGEDY

29 December 2012

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal extends its deep condolences for the seven lives lost during deadly traffic police fitness training in Pietermaritzburg on Friday (see report).

According to reports, seven people died during a fitness test for traffic police trainees at Pietermaritzburg's Harry Gwala Stadium. The ANC offers its deep condolences for the tragic loss of lives and the injuries and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. We wish speedy recovery to normal health of those who suffered injuries.

The ANC strongly believes that the test instructors failed to take necessary measures to protect vulnerable applicants from the extreme weather conditions. Even though the traffic officers are expected to work in all weather conditions but necessary measures were supposed to be taken to protect them from the scorching summer weather conditions.

We call on the MEC for Community Safety and Liaison, Cde Willies Mchunu to initiate a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the loss of lives. The ANC is of the view that a comprehensive investigation is needed to find out what really happened. The incident taught us to be wiser in future to avoid the loss of lives during trainings.

Statement issued by Senzo Mkhize, ANC KwaZulu-Natal, December 29 2012

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