Police in Mpumalanga have issued a stern warning to road users to adhere to the road traffic signs with a view to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. This warning comes after a 31-year-old taxi driver, Sibonise Patrick Mathebula, was charged for culpable homicide as well as reckless and negligent driving which claimed the life of an infant.
This incident happened on Tuesday, 13 April 2021, at Amersfoort. It is alleged that on the said day, Mathebula, who was driving a silver Toyota Quantum, allegedly ignored a stop sign as he was chasing after a white Toyota Avanza from Ermelo for ferrying passengers.
As a result of the chase, Mathebula hit two pedestrians, a 20-year-old male as well as a 23-year-old female who was carrying a five-month-old baby. The baby was unfortunately certified dead as a result of the accident and the other victims were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
Mathebula was then arrested and appeared before the Amersfoort Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2021, where he was remanded in custody until Monday, 19 April 2021 for a formal bail application.
The police management in the province has strongly condemned the incident which resulted in the unnecessary loss of life and calls on drivers to drive responsibly.
