Cop on culpable homicide charge

THE police officer who was allegedly involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Kwazakhele last weekend has been arrested and released on bail.

Constable Khuthele Matasimba, 26, of New Brighton police station, was arrested on Monday following a week-long investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Matasimba subsequently appeared in the Motherwell Magistrate's Court on Monday where bail was set at R1000.

It is alleged that Matasimba failed to stop after driving over Pumilile Deyi, 23, at the intersection of Stofile and Zokwana streets.

Instead of stopping at the accident scene, Matasimba allegedly sped off and parked the bakkie at the New Brighton police station.

Days after the incident, Eastern Cape police commissioner General Celiwe Binta suspended both Matasimba and the passenger who was inside the vehicle with him.

Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said the constable was charged with culpable homicide, defeating the ends of justice and failure to assist after an accident. - Gareth Wilson