Culpable homicide cases hang by a thread

A number of culpable homicide cases in the East London Magistrate’s Court risk being provisionally withdrawn if no information is brought forward by witnesses.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said the cases, mostly traffic accidents, were at risk of provisional withdrawal by the courts pending statements from independent witnesses.

“There are cases that will end up with the members of the affected families and public accusing the East London station of not doing all that is necessary in helping the court to prove innocence or guilt of any person involved in these accidents.

“We urge independent witnesses to come forward,” said Mqala.

Statements from independent witnesses were crucial in cases of accidents as most of the time they happened fast, she added.

In many cases the drivers contradict each other to avoid taking the blame.

The unresolved cases where witnesses are being sought include:

• An accident in Moore Street, Quigney where a blue and white Toyota Tazz was involved in which a 59-year-old pedestrian was killed;
• An accident in which a 26-year-old woman was killed on Marine Drive at Cove Rock involving a black motorbike with registration CBW133EC. The registration is believed to be false as it cannot be traced;
• A white Nissan Sentra ran over and killed a 33-year-old woman in Settler’s Way near Orange Grove on March 11 2017;
• An unidentified man believed to be about 40 years old was found on the side of the North East Expressway in January. Police believe he was hit by a car. The dead man was wearing a black jacket, green shirt, black pants and brown shoes;
• In November last year a man believed to be about 47 was killed in a collision with a train at Southernwood station and is still unidentified;
• An independent witness is needed in a case where a motorbike collided with a silver VW Polo in Oxford street in April. A 26-year-old died;
• A 44-year-old woman was killed when the red Nissan Sentra in which she was travelling collided with a white Mercedes-Benz and a yellow motorbike on Settler’s Way close to Ronnie’s Motors in December 2014; and
• A hit-and-run incident was reported earlier this month near Retail Park mall in Beacon Bay in which a man was knocked down by a vehicle that sped off.

“To be resolved, these cases all need public assistance,” said Mqala.

The cases are being investigated by Sergeant Mzukisi Tetani, who can be contacted on (043)707-0600 in Fleet Street or 071-602-1920, and Detective Warrant Officer Jacques du Toit at Beacon Bay police station (043)701-9000 or 082-829-8940).