Murder-accused dies in crash on way to court

A prisoner who was seriously injured after a prison van he was being transported in was involved in a head-on collision died in hospital on Tuesday.

Murder-accused Nkosinathi Rumbu, of Bathurst, succumbed to head injuries at Settler’s Hospital in Makhanda hours after the crash, said correctional services spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana.

The two correctional services officials and the driver of the other car escaped with minor injuries.

Gantana said Rumbu was being transported from the Vaainek Prison in Makhanda to the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court when the accident happened.

Gantana said the accident occurred after an elderly woman drove on the wrong side of the road, causing her Lexus SUV to plunge head-on into the correctional services’ Nissan bakkie.

Eastern Cape traffic deputy director Charles Bramwell said the accident happened in the Stones Hill area, 5km outside Makhanda, on the R67 road.

Gantana said Rumbu was due to appear in court on Tuesday for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was due in court again on Thursday on a charge of murder relating to a separate case.

Gantana said Rumbu, who was arrested on December 10 2013 and sentenced to five years for indecent assault, allegedly committed the two crimes while he was out on parole.

He had served only a year for the indecent assault case when he was released on parole on July 16 2014.

He was rearrested on November 14 last year.

Gantana said the two officials who were escorting Rumbu to court suffered slight injuries.

Makhanda police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said a case of culpable homicide had been opened.

Govender said: "We are still investigating, which includes gathering statements from witnesses. No arrests have been made."