The Western Cape SAPS has confirmed that a man has handed himself over to police, following a recent car accident near Belhar, in which a police vehicle was involved.

The incident occurred on the Stellenbosch Arterial Road near the R300 bridge on Saturday, 6 June, and involved two vehicles. 

Footage taken after the incident has been doing the rounds on social media, showing angry residents confronting a man (who is not wearing an official uniform) in the driver’s seat of the police vehicle. They accuse him of violating road laws and causing the accident. 

SAPS spokesperson, Captain F.C. Van Wyk, said the man handed himself over at the Belhar police station on Wednesday. He was charged with reckless and negligent driving.

“He was arrested and charged and warned to appear in the Bellville Magistrates court on Wednesday, 2026-06-17 for a charge of reckless and negligent driving. More charges could be added,” said Van Wyk.

Van Wyk noted that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

“Belhar police registered a reckless and negligent driving case following an accident involving two vehicles including a police vehicle on Saturday, 2026-06-06 at about 17:30 at Stellenbosch Arterial Road, Belhar,” Van Wyk said in a statement issued before the latest arrest. 

His arrest comes after DA Member of Parliament Nicholas Gotsell alleged that the man, who he said is a SAPS officer, fled the scene of the crash. 

In a video on social media on Monday, Gotsell identified the officer as Sergeant Sonamzi and claimed he left the scene before police arrived. 

“I’ve just confirmed that he’s not been charged with fleeing the scene of an accident or reckless and negligent driving or defeating the ends of justice,” said Gotsell.

In a separate video the following day, Gotsell claimed that the officer was “still missing”.  

“But now the question arises, how did he get away from that accident scene? Who helped him?”  

He also noted concerns over the impact of the SAPS vehicle involved in the crash, noting that officers are already struggling to serve in local communities due to limited resources.  

While Gotsell welcomed the arrest in this case, he believes the man is being protected. 

Meanwhile, Van Wyk clarified the whereabouts of the police vehicle allegedly involved in the accident.

“The allegation that the police vehicle in question was parked at 35 Squadron is not true. It was towed to the place where the vehicle was based as per Standard Operating Procedure regarding state vehicles involved in accidents,” said Van Wyk.

*This article has been updated and edited to reflect the arrest in the case.