Trial delay frustrates families of women killed in hit-and-run
The trial of a taxi driver accused of crashing into and killing two Atlas security company employees hit a snag at the eleventh hour on Thursday, much to the frustration of the young women’s families.
It is understood that the driver, who faces charges including culpable homicide and fleeing the scene of an accident, had intended to plead guilty but changed his mind at the last moment and fired his defence attorney.
Micayla Victor, 19, and Celine de Ridder, 21, were killed, and a third woman was injured, when Yibanathi Ndike, 28, allegedly skipped a red robot and crashed into their car at the Kempston and Neil Boss road intersection in Port Elizabeth earlier in 2019.
He allegedly fled the scene but later handed himself over to the police. He is out on bail.
Victor, De Ridder and Juanita de Villiers were on their way to work the night shift in the control room at the Atlas offices at 6.45pm on January 28.
De Villiers was injured but survived the horrific crash.
The families of Victor and De Ridder, wearing T-shirts showing their support for the two young women, filled the front row of the Port Elizabeth
Regional Court gallery on Thursday.
Victor’s stepmother, Nane, said the family had hoped the case would be finalised before Christmas and were disappointed by the delay.
“We were informed he planned to plead guilty.
“We just hope he still decides to do this next year. “We just want justice.” De Ridder’s dad, Johan, was also frustrated by the delay.
“We understand he changed his plea after viewing the video footage of the accident.”
Ndike has been given time to instruct a new attorney before the matter will again be set down for trial.