The driver who was involved in the car crash that caused the death of 11 schoolchildren and their driver has been released on R20 000 bail from custody.
Gert Van Emmenis, aged 55, appeared in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where he was granted bail of R20,000. Van Emmenis was the driver of the bakkie involved in last week’s tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of 11 schoolchildren and their transport driver.
Van Emmenis faces 12 counts of culpable homicide and charges of reckless or negligent driving. The case has been postponed until October 15 for further investigation.
Dressed in a black suit and white shirt, Van Emmenis made a brief appearance in court.
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The tragic event occurred last Wednesday when a minibus taxi carrying children to Rockland Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig was allegedly rear-ended by Van Emmenis’s Ford Ranger. The impact caused the taxi to overturn and catch fire.
The accident claimed the lives of Junior Mankofu, 13, Katlego Morebudi, 12, Tshiamo Makinta, 9, Thandeka Mtyibe, 9, Lethabo Sesing, 9, Reabetswe Rabodiba, 7, Olesego Khesa, 12, and family members Reneilwe, 7, Sihle, 12, Hlompho, 10, and Thato Hlalele, 8. Their driver, Nkosinathi Maphukade, also died in the crash.
During the bail hearing, the state did not oppose Van Emmenis’s release but sought assurances that he would not interfere with or contact witnesses. Van Emmenis’s attorney assured the court that his client did not know the witnesses involved in the case.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that the state did not oppose bail because Van Emmenis is facing a schedule 1 offence and his residential address was confirmed. “Therefore, there were no grounds for the state to oppose bail,” Mahanjana stated.
As the community mourns the loss of the young lives taken too soon, the legal proceedings will continue to seek justice for the victims and their families.
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