A 25-year-old man was arrested in connection with an illegal drag race at the weekend, which left one man dead.
Mitchell’s Plain police were called to the scene, on the corner of Spine and Eisleben roads around 2.30am on Sunday June 12.
The man who died, had been driving down Spine Road in his white Toyota Etios when he was hit by a white Volkswagen GTI Polo that failed to stop at the robot because its driver was allegedly illegally drag racing in Eisleben Road.
The man, aged 44, died on the scene while the driver of the Polo abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot to his home in Silversands Street, Westridge.
The 25-year-old man’s family took him to hospital, which is where Mitchell’s Plain police arrested him. He is expected to appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, the Accident Response Team had been called out to the scene where the suspect’s vehicle was impounded for forensic investigation. A case of culpable homicide was opened and investigations are ongoing.
Alex Lawrence, public relations officer for the Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association (MURA), said more traffic enforcement and targeted enforcement are needed.
“The racers use certain roads, and Eisleben Road is one of those roads,” he said. “The City has employed more LEAP officers but we need more visibility of the police as they race after hours.
“We condemn any act such as this accident as it is unacceptable. We hope the person will be brought to book and justice will be served.”
MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Reagen Allen, described the fatal incident as “a tragedy that should and could have been avoided” and extended his condolences.
Mitchell’s Plain police are calling on anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Sergeant Vuyan Claassen on 021 370 1682.