A young woman broke both her legs when she was knocked over by police during a high speed chase through the CBD.
The incident involving Sea Point High School matric pupil Hlokoma Zita, 18, happened on Friday June 2.
Eyewitness Paulus Meniers of District Six was on the Grand Parade when he witnessed the incident.
“Three police vans sped through a red robot with their sirens on. The first van hit the victim and rode on. The (occupants of the) third van stopped to help the victim. It looked like they were chasing a suspect when the incident occurred,” he said.
Scores of distraught onlookers watched in concern as ER24 tended to the pupil’s injuries and later carefully placed her on a stretcher.
Her peers looked on anxiously as they scrambled to obtain her mother’s contact details and determine whether she was on medical aid.
Luckily Sea Point High School secretary Jessica Fassie was on her way home at the time, and rushed to the scene. “I went with her to the Cape Town Medi-clinic where she still is. She sustained a broken leg and her right thigh was broken during the accident. She also suffered a head wound,” she added.
Her shocked mother, Nontsikelelo Zita, told CapeTowner that doctors had operated on Hlokoma over the weekend. “As soon as she gains her strength she will be transported to the 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg,” Ms Zita said.
Ms Zita said her daughter had a broken tibia and femur; a wound on her eye and bruises on her face and neck. “We went to open a case on Saturday at the police station but one had already been opened when we got there. I am feeling a lot calmer now,” she said.
Captain Ezra October, spokesman for Cape Town Central SAPS, said an accident report had been filed at the station along with a case of reckless and negligent driving. “The vehicle was travelling straight down Buitenkant Street when it collided with the victim in the middle of the road. She sustained wounds to both of her legs.”
Captain October said the case was currently under investigation and would be investigated internally – but not by Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which investigates complaints against the police. “A collision committee will look into the case at a later stage in the investigation.”
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the teenager was found partially beneath the vehicle. “She sustained several injuries to her pelvis and legs. Paramedics provided her with advanced life support at the scene as she was found to be in a critical condition,” he said.
