City advocate dies in crash
A FATAL car accident in the early hours of Sunday morning, which claimed the life of a popular local advocate, has left the Northern Cape legal fraternity reeling in shock.
Van Zyl Nel, 36, who is believed to have been alone in the vehicle, was travelling to Kimberley when the bakkie he was driving rolled several times.
Nel studied law at the University of the Free State, earning his LLB (cum laude) in 2002.
After working for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for twoand-a-half years, he served the NPA in the regional court from 2007 to 2010 before spending a year in the Eastern Cape as a state advocate.
Subsequently, Nel became a high court advocate for Legal Aid, attached to the Northern Cape High Court until his death.
The 36-year-old was due to marry his fiancée, Elmari van der Merwe, in Pretoria in just over two weeks time.
Northern Cape Legal Aid Justice Centre Executive, Joseph Bosealetse, yesterday described Nel’s death as a major loss for Legal Aid in the Province on both a personal and professional level.
“We are all still trying to come to terms with the loss as the news came as a major shock,” Bosealetse said yesterday.
“Nel was really one of our star performers. He was an excellent lawyer and mostly worked in the Northern Cape High Court since he joined us following his transfer from Pretoria.
“Outside the courtroom, he was a good and dedicated person. He was always willing to assist wherever he could and never turned anyone away who asked for help.”
Following a moment of silence in the Northern Cape High Court, Northern Cape Judge President, Frans Kgomo, said that a proper memorial service for Nel was currently being arranged.
“I am very saddened to announce that we have lost one of our own,” Kgomo said. “He was a man with integrity and a bright future. A man who was very conscientious in doing his work.
“We will arrange with the family and Director of Legal Aid South Africa to have a proper memorial for him.”
Meanwhile, police spokesman, Captain Sergio Kock, confirmed that the police in Modderrivier are investigating the death.
“A culpable homicide case has been opened following an accident at around 2am on Sunday morning, 20km from Modderrivier,” sad Kock.
“A white Toyota Hilux bakkie was found lying on the side of the road after it apparently rolled several times. The deceased, Van Zyl Nel, was found lying a few metres from the wreck . It is believed that he was alone in the vehicle at the time of the accident.”