Hit-and-run trial begins
A MOTORIST accused of mowing down two Phoenix men, helping a stranded friend whose car had broken down, has pleaded not guilty.
Kearadilwe Refilwe Modise Moloto, who is also accused of fleeing the scene, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court this week for the start of her trial.
Dressed in black, she stood silently with tears streaming down her face.
Moloto, 39, faces two counts of culpable homicide, charges of reckless or negligent driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and defeating the ends of justice.
Sumeer Maharaj, 26, and Pravin Mahabir, 25, died after being hit on the M4 near Blue Lagoon on May 18 last year.
They were helping their friend, Junaid Singh, change a flat tyre on his red Isuzu bakkie. Their cars were parked in the emergency lane on the M4 north, near the Blue Lagoon on-ramp, when Moloto allegedly struck them with her black Kia.
Singh was the only one of the three to survive the incident. He was also struck, injuring his hand. Maharaj died at the scene and Mahabir died the next day in hospital.
Testifying for the State, Cameron Chetty said: “I drove Pravin and Sumeer to assist Junaid on the M4 at the Blue Lagoon off-ramp. The wheel studs of Junaid’s bakkie had come off. I proceeded to place the triangle behind my car while Pravin and Sumeer helped Junaid. I then climbed into the bakkie to charge my phone.
“A few minutes later, I felt a big bang and the vehicle shook. Thereafter I saw motor parts flying. I then saw a dark coloured car slowed down in the emergency lane but then continued to move into the flow of traffic. When I looked around, I saw Pravin on my right side lying on the ground and Sumeer lying in the front of the bakkie. Junaid soon rushed over to assist. Sumeer passed on at the scene and Pravin died later in hospital.”
Detailing the version of the accused, Moloto’s attorney said his client was new to the area and was unaware of what had transpired.
“She was driving on the M4 and thought she was heading towards an off-ramp. When she realised that she was not supposed to be on the off-ramp, she moved back onto the M4, slowly moving from the emergency lane. She then saw the VW and swerved towards the right and heard a loud bang. She did not know what had happened and moved back into the emergency lane.
“Being new to the area, she became scared so she drove to school, picked up her child and went home. Upon arrival, her partner saw something wrong with her vehicle and realised that she had been in an accident. They then proceeded to the Durban North SAPS to report the matter.”
Sumeer’s grandfather, Mahomed Abid, broke down outside court on Monday.
“Sumeer was dearly loved by me. Anything he wanted, I gave him. He learnt so much from me. He loved cars and I taught him everything I knew,” he told POST. “Sumeer used to stay with me which is why I miss him so much.”
Singh, 29, who survived the incident, said his life would never be the same after the tragedy.
“We all were best friends and always went out together. But after the accident, everyone split up. Life has changed drastically,” he said.
“Physically I can’t work. I lost my trucking business because I couldn’t drive that van ever again. It brought back too many memories. I was even going through depression.”
Proceeding.