Duduzane Zuma was responsible for the death of minibus taxi passenger Phumzile Dube through negligence.
This was the finding of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday at the end of an inquest into the death of Dube, 30, in an accident in February this year.
“The court finds the death of Phumzile Dube was the result of negligent driving by suspect 2 ,” magistrate Lalita Chetty said.
“He failed to conduct himself in a reasonable manner under the circumstances, and considering the adverse weather conditions.
“His defence of aquaplaning is rejected,” she said.
Dube died on the scene after the silver Porsche 911 Turbo of the president’s son collided with the minibus taxi she was travelling in on the M1 South highway in Johannesburg in the rain.
The inquest was held to determine whether Zuma or taxi driver Jabulani Dlamini, 30, were responsible for the accident.
Zuma, 32, had told the court that he lost control of his car after it hit a puddle of water.
Chetty’s decision paves the way for Zuma to be charged with culpable homicide.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Nathi Mncube said the NPA will now look at which issues still need to be investigated before it decides whether to prosecute Zuma or not.
He said the ruling would be “useful” to the NPA in making its decision, a process that could take three or four months.
One of the issues that will have to be investigated, Mncube said, was the records of the e-toll gantries. The data from the gantries proved to be unreliable during the inquest.
Gary Mazaham, Zuma’s lawyer, said Zuma declined to comment.
Dlamini welcomed the decision.
“I am happy because it was said I wasn’t at fault and I had also thought so,” he said.
Dube’s brother, Albert Dube, 41, said: “I am feeling better because now that I know what happened to my sister, we can continue with our lives.”
He said his sister’s death has taken a financial and emotional toll on the family, especially Phumzile’s three-year-old daughter, Thembi.
“She doesn’t know what is happening but she’s missing her mother,” he said.
Dube said he had no ill feelings towards Zuma.
Zuma’s son guilty of taxi death
This was the finding of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday at the end of an inquest into the death of Dube, 30, in an accident in February this year.
“The court finds the death of Phumzile Dube was the result of negligent driving by suspect 2 ,” magistrate Lalita Chetty said.
“He failed to conduct himself in a reasonable manner under the circumstances, and considering the adverse weather conditions.
“His defence of aquaplaning is rejected,” she said.
Dube died on the scene after the silver Porsche 911 Turbo of the president’s son collided with the minibus taxi she was travelling in on the M1 South highway in Johannesburg in the rain.
The inquest was held to determine whether Zuma or taxi driver Jabulani Dlamini, 30, were responsible for the accident.
Zuma, 32, had told the court that he lost control of his car after it hit a puddle of water.
Chetty’s decision paves the way for Zuma to be charged with culpable homicide.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Nathi Mncube said the NPA will now look at which issues still need to be investigated before it decides whether to prosecute Zuma or not.
He said the ruling would be “useful” to the NPA in making its decision, a process that could take three or four months.
One of the issues that will have to be investigated, Mncube said, was the records of the e-toll gantries. The data from the gantries proved to be unreliable during the inquest.
Gary Mazaham, Zuma’s lawyer, said Zuma declined to comment.
Dlamini welcomed the decision.
“I am happy because it was said I wasn’t at fault and I had also thought so,” he said.
Dube’s brother, Albert Dube, 41, said: “I am feeling better because now that I know what happened to my sister, we can continue with our lives.”
He said his sister’s death has taken a financial and emotional toll on the family, especially Phumzile’s three-year-old daughter, Thembi.
“She doesn’t know what is happening but she’s missing her mother,” he said.
Dube said he had no ill feelings towards Zuma.
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