An unemployed man living in Phiphidi village received the shock of his life when an "unwelcome visitor" landed on the roof of his house and nearly destroyed his home.
Nndavheleseni Mauda, better known as Masipala, was taking an afternoon nap on Friday (26th) when he was awakened by a loud bang. On checking what had happened, he was shocked to find a police van on top of his roof.
Mauda, who lives alone, said that he had returned home around 15:00 and decided to nap because he was tired. "It was while I was sleeping that I heard a big sound and a shake in the house. I woke up to check what was happening, only to find a police van on top of my roof. I helped the injured driver climb out of the van, while the other got out without injuries," he said.
He later learned that the police officers were delivering a protection order to a neighbour. The driver seemed to have lost control of his vehicle before it crashed into his house. "I am still shaking with shock but feel lucky that I was not injured and that no fatalities were reported," he said.
Mauda mentioned that his house took many years to complete. "I am not able to repair the damage to the house. All I want is for the police to repair my house, so that I can continue with my life in peace," he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the police in Vhembe, W/O Vuledzani Dathi, confirmed the incident and said they were investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving. He stated that the officers attached to the Thohoyandou Police station had been performing their normal duties when the incident had occurred.
"It is further indicated that the said members were driving on a hill and that there was water on the road, which could have caused the road to be slippery. The occupant of the house was not injured, but the driver of the van was injured on his right eye. He also had bruises on his nose and leg and was taken to a local medical facility for treatment," Dathi said.