Traffic officer brutally attacked by driver on N1 Limpopo
A traffic officer was assaulted by a bus driver while on duty along the N1 South at Ysterberg in Limpopo on Friday, 1 May 2026.
The officer, who was in full uniform, had been lawfully deployed to manage traffic around a jackknifed abnormal vehicle during the busy Workers’ Day period.
While carrying out his duties to ensure the safety of road users, he attempted to stop a bus transporting school children.
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The driver allegedly ignored the officer’s instruction and continued moving forward, forcing the officer to step back to avoid being struck.
The bus was subsequently stopped, and when the driver disembarked, he reportedly confronted the officer, accused him of abusing his authority, and physically assaulted him.
The officer arrested the driver at the scene. A case of assault and failure to comply with the lawful instruction of a traffic officer has been opened at Westernburg Police Station in Capricorn.
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The injured officer sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment at Limpopo Mediclinic.
Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, has strongly condemned the incident.
“This is thuggery of the highest order. You do not push, shove, or fight a traffic officer in uniform,” she said.
“You do not endanger school children because you refuse to obey the law. This behaviour is criminal, cowardly, and will be met with the full might of the law.”
Mathye further expressed concern over the timing of the incident, noting that it occurred on Workers’ Day.
“I am disgusted that on Workers’ Day, a day of solidarity, we have a driver attacking the very people deployed to keep workers and children safe,” she added.
She reiterated calls for motorists to cooperate with law enforcement officials.
“We have repeatedly appealed to motorists to be patient and cooperative with officers assisting them. This incident proves why. Non-cooperation costs lives and leads to violence. Respect the uniform. Respect the law or face arrest.”
