Brackendowns: Wife tells story following jogger husband’s death
Portia Khuzwayo has lost a breadwinner and husband and her children lost a father. She admits that at times through this whole matter she felt like she was just a statistic. “A bit of empathy costs nothing and can mean a lot.”
ON August 20, at about 4.40am tragedy struck for the Khuzwayo family of Brackendowns when a father of three was knocked over while on a training run in Randhart.
He was allegedly knocked over by a CPS security vehicle which was on patrol.
The victim, Collin Khuzwayo (47), died two days later in the Union Hospital.
According to his wife, Portia Khuzwayo, Collin was a loving father and husband who was always there for his family.
He was an avid runner who had recently completed his fourth Comrades Marathon.
According to other runners in the group running with Collin on the morning, he was running slightly ahead of them up the hill in Lindeque Street just before where the R59 runs underneath the street, when he was knocked over.
The runners rushed to his aid and it was clear to them that he was badly injured.
His injuries reportedly included two broken legs with multiple breaks as well as multiple broken ribs.
He had a severe trauma on his head and it was bleeding a lot.
The ambulance reportedly only arrived after security company vehicles and an SAPS vehicle attended the scene.
Two of the joggers got a lift back to their vehicles where they went to inform Collin’s wife.
Culpable homicide investigated
When Portia arrived on the scene the ambulance had already taken Collin to hospital.
On her arrival at the hospital she was only able to see him at about 10.30am when they had finished stabilising him.
He was then taken to ICU.
“I was extremely happy with the service I received from the Netcare Union Hospital in that I received empathy and received regular updates while I was waiting in the waiting area,” said Portia.
“The doctors were amazing. Unfortunately, what followed from an SAPS point of view was disappointing.
“I was never contacted by anyone from SAPS with regards to a case number or the procedure to follow etc.
“I found this strange as the SAPS were on the scene and were at times in the trauma unit so they would have been aware of my details which I gave to the paramedics at hospital.”
Two days later, according to Portia, she had to get a case number to arrange for a funeral so she went to the Brackendowns SAPS.
She alleges that the investigating officer told her he was unaware of her husband’s death and that they were investigating the incident as a collision report but would change it to a culpable homicide case.
Brackendowns SAPS has confirmed that the case was originally investigated as a reckless and negligent driving case and was only changed to a culpable homicide case after they were informed of the victim’s death.
The matter was then transferred to a new investigating officer.
Some of the witnesses that were running in the same group allege that the SAPS on scene were ready to leave without taking the names of any witnesses to the event.
The witnesses allege that they approached the SAPS members to tell them to take their details.
These witnesses also allege that they were only contacted on Friday last week to make statements.
According to Brackendowns SAPS all relevant witness statement were collected by the time of printing and that the report by the driver has also been submitted to police.
Only the results of the autopsy are still outstanding.
Brackendowns SAPS has admitted that a plan and scene analysis was not done on the day of the accident.
Portia Khuzwayo has lost a breadwinner and husband and her children lost a father.
She admits that at times through this whole matter she felt like she was just a statistic.
“A bit of empathy costs nothing and can mean a lot.”
Statement from CPS Management
“The management and employees of CPS were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Collin Khuzwayo. CPS extends its condolences to the Khuzwayo family after the tragic loss of Mr Khuzwayo.
“CPS has been in contact with Collin’s wife, Portia, as well the Brackendowns SAPS throughout. CPS and its employees shall cooperate fully with the police investigations. CPS and its employees operate within the laws of South Africa. The death of Mr Khuzwayo is a tragic accident,” said CPS Management.
Top tips to correctly handle the situation when you are in an accident
- Any collision must be reported within 24 hours to any police station. The case will then be transferred to the relevant police station for registration. The exception is where a member of the SAPS or metro police attend the scene. In such instances they will do the necessary submission.
- If there are no injuries then the vehicles may be removed to a safe area and details of vehicles and owners and drivers exchanged.
- If the collision was of such a nature that there are serious injuries, emergency services must be contacted immediately and assistance given until these arrive. The vehicles are to be left in their original resting places after the collision. If for any reason they have to be moved their position must be clearly marked prior to doing so.
- Note skid marks, damage, the position of debris and so forth as this will assist investigators in reconstructing the collision in legal proceedings if necessary. If there is a possibility that the driver may have been under the influence then apply the same principles. Once the scene is cleared without being properly noted, the potential evidence will be lost forever.
- It is better to be meticulous.
- The attendance of the SAPS and metro can then be supplemented with your own evidence to settle any disputes.
- SAPS requests that if at all possible that all parties should go to the police station together to complete an accident report. If this is not possible ask for the accident report number from the person that completed the accident report and you will then be able to read and verify the report as necessary.
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