Just days after a moving memorial service for the 11 learners who died in a horrific accident last week, Gert van Emmenis, 55, the motorist who allegedly collided with the scholar transport, was released on R20 000 bail.
His matter, which also resulted in the death of the scholar transport driver who was the 12th victim of the accident, was postponed to October 15 for further investigation.
Van Emmenis, who appeared briefly before the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, has been charged with 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless or negligent driving.
Media reports indicate that last Wednesday morning while the learners were on their way home, their scholar transport minibus taxi which was headed to Rockland Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig was allegedly rear-ended by a Ford Ranger, resulting in a catastrophic death of the 11 learners and their driver when the taxi caught fire.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 13-year-old Junior Mankofu, 12-year-old Katlego Morebudi, Olesego Khesa, 12, Tshiamo Makinta, 9, Thandeka Mtyibe, 9, Lethabo Sesing, 9, Reabetswe Rabodiba, 7, as well as four children from the same family – Reneilwe, 7, Sihle, 12, Hlompho, 10, and Thato Hlalele (8). Their driver, Nkosinathi Maphukade, was also killed.
The State did not oppose Van Emmenis’s bail application but sought assurances he would not interfere or contact witnesses and should also hand over his passport.
Van Emmenis told the court through his attorney he did not know the witnesses.
In a statement, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the State did not oppose bail as the driver is facing a schedule 1 offence and his address was confirmed.
“The Fochville Magistrate’s Court granted Gert Laurence van Emmenis, 55, bail of R20 000 on schedule 1 offence with conditions, that he should hand over his passport to the investigating officer and that he should not interfere directly or indirectly with witnesses. He is facing charges of 12 counts of culpable homicide and a count of reckless and or negligent driving alternatively inconsiderate driving,” said Mahanjana.
According to the NPA and the police, on July 10, Van Emmenis was driving a Ford Ranger motor vehicle, on JB Marx Road in Fochville, when he collided with a minibus taxi transporting school kids.
On Tuesday, the MEC of Sports, Arts, Culture and Education, Matome Chiloane, revealed that the remains of the 11 children had been matched to their respective families through DNA tests.
“The families were able to identify the bodies of their children and now know which child is which, but now they can’t proceed because the process is still continuing,” he said.
The Star