Family distraught at new trial delay
Faulty equipment the latest hurdle between former mayor and justice in two-year culpable homicide trial
ASERIES of technical difficulties saw the drawn-out culpable homicide trial of former Lukhanji mayor Nozibele Makanda again being postponed in the Cathcart Magistrate’s Court yesterday, this time to early next year.
The trial was set down for two days – yesterday and today – but when the stenographer’s recording equipment malfunctioned, the earliest new date the magistrate could find was February 6.
The former mayor was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of a young engineering student, Charl Schoeman, outside Cathcart in November 2015.
At the time of the accident, Makanda was travelling to Queenstown.
A helicopter was dispatched to the scene by Charl’s father Deon Schoeman, but five minutes after it landed Charl, who was trapped in the wreckage, was declared dead.
The helicopter was then used to airlift Makanda – who was in a serious condition – to hospital.
Deon Schoeman, 49, yesterday said the family was shattered by yet another postponement two years down the line.
He said the defence had often dragged its feet in past proceedings by stating that they had not consulted properly with the accused.
“We arrived in court at 8.30am and when court started there were problems with the court recording machines.
“The matter was stood down until 11am but still by then, the problem could not be solved. We were told the problem emanated from Pretoria. We are very disappointed. We thought it would be finalised this week after the long delays.
“The case has put a lot of strain on my family and we were hoping for closure,” Schoeman said.
He said state prosecutor Siebert Baartman seemed eager and ready to proceed with the trial.
“The former mayor was there and the witness who was driving in front of my son’s car was also there, ready to take the stand,” said Schoeman.
Charl, 19, a former Grens High pupil, was in a Toyota Hilux, travelling home from the University of Free State to East London for the December holidays when the two vehicles collided.
The identity of the first-year chemical engineering student was originally not revealed, even in a report compiled on the incident by Lukhanji municipal manager Nolwandle Gqiba.
The report simply referred to the person killed in the accident as the “driver”.
The Dispatch previously reported that Gqiba had authorised payment of R200 000 towards Makanda’s hospital bill.
However, opposition parties questioned why the mayor did not have medical aid.
Following the article, Schoeman approached the paper saying he suspected the Lukhanji municipality was trying to cover up for the mayor.
Municipal spokesman Fundile Feketshane at the time confirmed that the Fortuner was a municipally owned vehicle and was insured.