“It was the most surreal experience ever. The last message I sent him was at 10.14pm - a minute before he died. I was waiting for him to finish his shift, but he never made it home.”
These are the words of Lucian Sampson, 43, the wife of Mamre traffic officer Deon Sampson, who was killed by a taxi driver on Friday night at a roadblock in Khayelitsha.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith explains: “Officer Sampson was part of an integrated operation with SAPS, and while checking the licence disc on a taxi waiting in the queue at approximately 9.45pm, the driver accelerated, ran him over, and dragged him along the road for nearly 200 metres before the body dislodged.
“The rest of the officers on the scene chased after the [taxi], but the driver refused to stop.
“They had to discharge several rounds [of ammunition] at the vehicle, before the driver was eventually apprehended off Oscar Mpetha Drive.
“It is alleged that he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Lucian says she is at peace that Deon is “in a better place” now.
“Deon got saved four years ago. When I viewed his body on Saturday, it was evident that he was badly hurt, but despite this, he had a peaceful look on his face,” she says.
The father of three joined the City’s Traffic Services in 1999, and was part of the “Ghost Squad” until his resignation in 2016.
“He left to start his own business, but it never worked out. He reapplied (to the City) last year, and started working as part of the roadblock team in January this year,” says Lucian.
Lucian says they were busy planning their 20th wedding anniversary: “We were soulmates, we loved each other dearly.
“I missed him that night and couldn’t wait for him to come home, which is why I messaged him, to let him know that I was thinking of him, but the message remains unread.”
She says she drifted off and heard sirens, but assumed it was him.
“The next minute, my son came to me and said ‘dada’s work people are here’ and I knew something was wrong.
“When they told me my husband died, I said it can’t be. I’m still in disbelief.”
Deon leaves behind his wife and three children, Dayne, 17, Liam, 13 and Jemma, 10.
His funeral is expected to be held in Mamre this weekend.
The suspect is due to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court today.