High-speed chase ends abruptly as cop car knocks down wall

A Port Elizabeth family was stunned when a police vehicle ploughed through the boundary wall at their New Brighton home during a high-speed chase involving alleged criminals.

And while the police cautioned social media users to have all the facts at hand before taking to their computer keyboards — amid claims the officers were drunk — Nomalungelo Ndlebe, 80, said the police had treated the family deplorably.

The drama unfolded in the early hours of Sunday when members of the flying squad spotted a Mazda 323 in Mavuso Road, New Brighton.

As it matched the description of a vehicle used in a break-in at a business in Newton Park on Friday, police had investigated and when the men in the vehicle matched the alleged burglars’ description, they had arrested them, Colonel Priscilla Naidu said.  

The vehicle had been reported stolen in Despatch earlier this month.

“While officers were still busy at this scene [arresting the men in the Mazda], just after midnight, a white VW Polo passed them.

“It is alleged that this Polo was also involved in the break-in,” Naidu said.

“The Polo sped off when officers chased after it.

Naidu said the three arrested men, aged 23, 27 and 34, had been left by the flying squad members with other police officers who were securing them in a vehicle.

The 23-year-old, however, managed to escape in the commotion of the car chase.

“During the ensuing chase, the Polo swerved wildly, causing the police vehicle to leave the road and hit the boundary wall of a residence in Ferguson Road,” Naidu said.

One officer’s arm was broken in the crash, while the other escaped injury.

However, their vehicle, a VW Golf GTI, was damaged extensively.

Ndlebe said they had been asleep when they heard a loud bang outside.

When they went to investigate, they saw a police vehicle had crashed through their wall.

“We saw smoke and a fire inside the car and we were afraid it might explode, so we stood outside the yard,” she said.

“The two officers inside the car were taken away and more police arrived.”

At this point Ndlebe realised one of her four grandchildren was still asleep inside the house and, when she wanted to go inside, she say she was confronted by a “very rude” police official.

One of her granddaughters, Sibahle Ndlebe, 27, said they had been shocked by the way the police spoke to them.

“One of them threatened my aunt with a taser, and when we wanted to take pictures with our phones they threatened to take our phones away,” Sibahle said.

The family are also concerned for their safety as their perimeter wall is now nothing more than a pile of rubble, leaving them vulnerable to trespassers.

“This area is notorious for its criminal elements, and right now we are unsafe.

“We have been to the police to find out what they are going to do about it, and they assured us that a case has been opened,” Sibahle said.

Ndlebe said she had been frightened by the harsh words from the police officers on the scene, when all she wanted to do was check up on one of her grandchildren.

“I was shocked,” she said.

“I wanted to make sure my grandchild was okay, but the officer said my yard was now a crime scene and he was going to ‘m**r’ me if I did not listen to him.

“I told him it was my house and I needed to go inside, but he [allegedly] said he was going to shoot me if I came onto the crime scene.”

In response to the family’s allegation of ill-treatment, Naidu said they should report it to their nearest police station so that a thorough investigation could be done.

Naidu also called on the public to refrain from posting unverified information and false allegations on social media.

She said the police condemned the “spreading of fake news” related to the accident.

A number of posts, showing the accident scene, were posted on social media, along with claims that the police officers involved in the accident were intoxicated.

However, the posts made no mention of the high-speed pursuit that had led to the accident.

“We are appealing to social media users to stop circulating information that is not verified,” Naidu said.

“Any person who publishes, distributes, discloses, transmits, circulates or spreads false information or fake news is guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted or could face civil litigation.”

She said several social media users had ignored the police’s official statement and made assumptions that could harm the reputation of the officers.

“The officers that were involved in the accident are dedicated and hardworking police officers who are always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure their community’s safety.

“One of these officers has won accolades for his outstanding commitment and service to the public,” Naidu said.

She said anyone with proof that the officers’ conduct lacked integrity was urged to come forward and submit an official statement so the matter could be fully investigated.

“The community are also warned that if found taking pictures of a crime scene and thereafter posting it on social platforms, they will be arrested and charged for defeating the ends of justice.

“Any  crime scene is integral for police investigation and irresponsible actions by civilians can jeopardise investigations.”

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