IMG 20240722 WA0002
Picture Courtesy: (Sowetan Live) Gert Laurence Van Emmens, the man facing 12 counts of culpable homicide and one count of reckless driving, after he allegedly hit a minibus scholar transport from the back, causing it to overturn and subsequently catch fire.
(The Post News)- On Thursday, July 18, the Fochville Magistrate’s Court granted bail of 20,000 rands to the driver of a Ford Ranger double cab bakkie that had collided with a minibus scholar transport in Merafong, claiming the lives of 11 pupils and their driver.
The 55-year-old Gert Laurence Van Emmens made an appearance in court on one count of reckless driving and twelve counts of culpable homicide. His case is scheduled to return to court on October 15.
The Ford Ranger bakkie allegedly hit a scholar transport from behind last Wednesday, causing it to overturn and catch fire. The driver of the minibus was declared dead on the scene, along with the 11 pupils, while eight other pupils sustained injuries.
Thulani Mbele, a photographer and columnist at the Sowetan, wrote in an article that Van Emmen’s attorney, advocate Abrie Van der Merwe, argued that his client should be granted R10,000 bail, stating that he could make the payment right away.
Mbele added that the prosecution, led by Solomon Taueatsoala, did not object to bail, claiming that Van Emmens’s address had been confirmed; however, he requested conditions on his bail.
According to the spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority, Lumka Mahanjana, a bail of 20,000 rands was given to Van Emmens, subject to two requirements: he must give the investigating officer his passport, and he is not allowed to interfere in any way with the witnesses.
An article written by a News24 journalist, Noxolo Sibiya, reported that a police source close to the accident investigation informed News24 that Van Emmens was speeding, and he sustained injuries from the accident, which led to him being hospitalised.
The article further states that, as far as News24 is aware, Van Emmens was able to save seven pupils after the accident, but he was unable to save the rest because the scholar’s transport exploded when he went back for them.
Mbele added that as Van Emmens headed home, the family of Nkosinathi Maphakude, the scholar transport driver, said that they had “lost a breadwinner,” and his friend, Patric Rampai, highlighted his displeasure over Van Emmens’s bail, claiming that R20,000 was not enough for 12 lives.
About the Author
