North West Traffic Officer Killed After Being Struck By Allegedly Drunk Driver In Rustenburg

A 41-year-old North West traffic officer has died after being struck by a bakkie while attempting to stop the vehicle in Rustenburg on Tuesday morning, 3 November 2026.

The deceased has been identified as Provincial Inspector Rendani Maluta, who was stationed at the Rustenburg Provincial Traffic Station and had served in the department for 14 years.

According to information released by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Maluta was on duty alongside fellow traffic officers when they noticed a bakkie allegedly driving through several stop signs along Bophuthatswana Street towards Meriting, near the R510.

Maluta reportedly attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply and struck him with the vehicle’s front right fender.

The incident reportedly happened at approximately 10:00.

Following the collision, the driver allegedly failed to stop and fled the scene, leaving the injured traffic officer behind.

Suspect arrested after pursuit

Other traffic officers immediately pursued the fleeing vehicle, with assistance from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The pursuit resulted in the driver’s arrest shortly afterwards.

According to the department, the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

Further details regarding the charges and the outcome of the court appearance have not yet been confirmed.

MEC pays tribute to fallen officer

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Tsotso Tlhapi, visited the scene and expressed her condolences to Maluta’s family, friends and colleagues.

Tlhapi described the incident as a devastating loss for the department, particularly as traffic officers prepare for increased road safety operations during the festive season.

She also commended the swift response by Maluta’s colleagues and the police, who worked together to track down and apprehend the suspect.

The MEC stressed that although the arrest would not bring the officer back, accountability and justice must prevail.

Tlhapi further appealed to motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive responsibly and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

Maluta’s death comes as traffic authorities prepare for the busy festive season, when increased traffic volumes and long-distance travel place additional demands on road safety personnel.

His 14 years of service at the Rustenburg Provincial Traffic Station have been acknowledged by the department, which has expressed its condolences to those affected by his death.

Details regarding his funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated in due course.

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OTHER NEWS

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Broederstroom couple survive hours of torture in farm attack; seven firearms stolen, no arrests yet

An elderly couple on a game farm in Broederstroom, near Hartbeespoort Dam in North West, were overpowered, stripped, beaten, burned with boiling water and subjected to prolonged threats during a violent home invasion on the evening of Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Les Brett, 67, and his wife Natasha, 68, were attacked at their property around 19:00–19:30 by three masked, armed men. According to accounts from the couple and close family friend Warren Geddes, the attackers entered through an unlocked wooden sliding door. They demanded money and the keys to a safe, claiming knowledge that one of the occupants operated a kiosk at a nearby resort.

The couple were restrained and separated for much of the ordeal, which lasted approximately three hours. Reports state the attackers beat them, poured boiling or hot water on them, stabbed or cut them, and forced an AK-47 rifle barrel into Les Brett’s mouth. When he initially refused to hand over the safe keys, the attackers used bolt cutters on Natasha Brett’s nipples and repeatedly threatened to rape her. The threats and assault stopped after the keys were surrendered.

The suspects then accessed the safe and fled with seven licensed firearms of different calibres (all registered in Les Brett’s name), ammunition, two cellphones, a laptop, cash and other personal items.

SRU High Risk Security received a call for assistance around 22:30 and arrived within minutes, along with emergency services. Drones were deployed to search the surrounding area, but no suspects were located at the time. The couple initially received on-scene medical attention. Les Brett later sought further treatment. Published photographs show extensive facial bruising and a severe black eye on Les Brett, consistent with the described assault. Natasha Brett sustained facial bruising, swelling and other injuries.

North West police, through Hartbeespoortdam SAPS, have opened a case of house robbery. Spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake confirmed the three unidentified suspects (described as African males wearing face masks) entered via the unlocked door, demanded money, gained access to the safe and stole the firearms and other items. Police described the male victim’s injuries as minor and said he sought medical attention after being threatened and having hot water poured on him. No arrests had been made as of the latest available statements on 3–5 November 2026.

Les Brett, known for his work in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching (including founding the Dung Beetle Bush School and sometimes referred to as the “Rhino Whisperer”), is a former Special Forces and police member. He has trained international personnel in bushcraft and tracking. In his own account, he described the attack as military-style and noted that the rifle in his mouth failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. He has stated that reports of his wife being raped are false; the threats were made but the rape did not occur.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams condemned the attack, describing it as concerning that criminals target people in their homes. He urged residents to strengthen security and report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Warrant Officer Gregory Kwadi of Hartbeespoortdam SAPS Detectives on 082 373 9636.

The incident forms part of a recent cluster of violent attacks on farms and smallholdings in North West. It follows the 28 October attack on Donovan Marx near Ventersdorp (in which suspects have been arrested and charged) and the earlier killing of Hannetjie van Zyl near Ottosdal. Police continue to investigate the Broederstroom case as a house robbery while security structures and community groups have highlighted the level of violence involved.