Police open apartheid hit-and-run cold case

MMAMETLHAKE - In a dramatic turn of events, a culpable homicide case of what was deemed a racist attack in which nine people were killed, has been opened at the Mmametlhake Police Station just outside KwaMhlanga in the Nkangala District.

This incident, which left many pupils injured, happened in 1965 during the peak of apartheid and was never probed nor deposited in police files.

Finally, 56 years after this incident, a docket has been officially opened and the police are investigating this culpable homicide case, as well as failure to stop after an accident.

The provincial police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi, said the case was officially opened last Wednesday June 9. “It is said that on May 1, 1965, 27 learners aged between 18 and 19 of Nkotolane Primary School formed part of a musical competition held earlier that day in Pankop, where they had won a trophy. These learners were reportedly ferried in a truck and were dropped next to their school, where their parents were waiting to receive them.

“Information at the police’s disposal indicates that as they were busy alighting from the truck, a certain bakkie with two occupants appeared, driving at high speed, and plunged into them, resulting in some sustaining serious injuries and nine of them dying,” narrated Hlathi.

He said the injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals and some stayed for more than two years to undergo treatment.

“All the victims are now pensioners and still have terrible scars on their bodies, alleged to have been caused by the accident. Details on what exactly transpired regarding the incident as well as the whereabouts of the one who was driving the bakkie remains part of the probe.

“The police made a call to members of the public with valuable information that may assist in this case, to come forward. The police also requested Koos Engelbrecht, whom they believe can assist in this probe, to urgently contact them.

“Engelbrecht is said to have been previously living around Modimolle in Limpopo, and anyone who knows his whereabouts is urged to contact the investigating officer, Capt Solomon Moshime,” appealed Hlathi.

Capt Moshime can be contacted on 082 065 1355, or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.