Tears at ‘hit-and-run’ trial delay

THE mother of one of two friends who died in an alleged hit-andrun accident near Durban’s Blue Lagoon in May broke down outside court yesterday (Tuesday), saying the wait for justice had taken its toll on her.

Naseema Maharaj was at the Durban Magistrate’s Court expecting progress, but delays in the trial have the families of both victims – Sumeer Maharaj and Pravin Mahabir – disappointed.

Magistrate Fariedha Mohamed said the matter had to be postponed as certain documents were still outstanding.

The accused’s counsel, former National Prosecuting Authority boss, advocate Mokotedi Mpshe, requested the trial continue as the court had an electronic version of the documents, but Mohamed refused, saying all exhibits must be original.

Kearadilwe Refilwe Modise Moloto is accused of mowing down Maharaj, 26, and Mahabir, 25, who had stopped to help their friend, Junaid Singh, change a flat tyre. Their cars were parked in the emergency lane on the M4 North when Moloto’s Kia allegedly struck them and failed to stop.

According to Mpshe, Moloto had been unaware of what had happened.

Moloto faces two counts of culpable homicide, charges of reckless or negligent driving, leaving the scene of an accident and defeating the ends of justice.

She looked calm as Durban North Warrant Officer Fabian Chetty testified. Chetty said when Moloto arrived at the police station to file an accident report she was unclear about the details.

The trial is expected to continue next month. Naseema Maharaj later told

POST her life without her son was “so empty”. “Only people who go through this will know what I’m going through. I just hope we can get answers soon.”