Biesiesvlei, North West — A 40-year-old South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant died after the police vehicle he was travelling in overturned on a dirt road while responding to a complaint on Sunday afternoon, 25 October 2026. A 35-year-old constable who was travelling with him suffered minor injuries and was treated and discharged from a local hospital.
What happened
North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the officers were attached to Biesiesvlei Police Station and were en route to attend to a complaint when the driver lost control on a dirt road and the vehicle overturned. The sergeant, identified as Monnapule Richard Modise, was pronounced dead at the scene. The injured constable received medical attention and was later discharged.
“It is alleged that whilst driving on a dirt road, the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned,”
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, expressed sorrow at the loss and extended condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and the community the sergeant served.
Investigation and legal status
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide to establish the precise circumstances of the crash. The investigation will seek to determine factors such as vehicle condition, speed, road surface and whether external factors contributed to the loss of control. No further charges or arrests have been reported so far.
Commissioner Adams noted Modise’s long service to the organisation, saying the sergeant had served the SAPS for about 17 years and that his death was a painful loss to colleagues and the community. The commissioner also wished the injured officer a speedy recovery and said the service would support affected families and colleagues during this period.
Local impact and context
Roads in many rural parts of the North West remain gravel or dirt, and heavy rains, maintenance backlogs or loose surfaces can increase the risk of single-vehicle accidents. Police vehicles routinely travel on such routes when responding to complaints in remote communities, exposing officers to elevated road safety risks.
In recent years, traffic and operational safety for SAPS members has been a recurring concern nationally: vehicles are used to carry out urgent responses across long distances, often on poorly maintained roads. The opening of a culpable homicide investigation is standard procedure to establish whether negligence, mechanical failure or environmental conditions were contributory.
Practical information for the public
- If you witness a serious crash, contact SAPS emergency numbers or local police stations immediately and follow the instructions of on-scene officials.
- When reporting incidents from rural areas, provide clear directions and landmarks to assist emergency teams in locating the scene quickly.
- Community members who have information relevant to the investigation can approach Biesiesvlei Police Station to speak to investigators.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 October 2026 |
| Location | Biesiesvlei, North West |
| Fatality | Sergeant Monnapule Richard Modise, 40 |
| Injured | Constable, 35 — treated and discharged |
| Investigation | Culpable homicide case opened |
Questions for investigators
As the culpable homicide inquiry proceeds, investigators will likely examine:
- Vehicle condition and maintenance records;
- Driver conduct, including speed and whether drivers were subjected to fatigue or distraction;
- Road conditions at the scene, recent weather patterns and any obstacles on the route;
- Whether vehicle load, equipment or modifications played a role.
Community members who may have dashcam footage, mobile phone recordings or other evidence are being encouraged to make this available to the investigators at Biesiesvlei Police Station to assist with establishing the cause of the crash.
The death of Sergeant Modise removes an experienced member from the local policing team — he had served for around 17 years — and highlights the risks officers face when responding to calls in remote parts of the province. The SAPS has pledged support for the family and colleagues while the inquiry is under way.
Further updates will be provided once investigators release additional findings or when the SAPS issues formal statements on the progress of the culpable homicide case.
