Driver in dock after death of Top Billing presenter Simba
THE DRIVER involved in the car accident that claimed the life of
presenter Simba Mhere has appeared briefly in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Preshalin Naidoo, who was dressed in a grey trench coat and jeans, was flanked by members of his family in court yesterday.
The culpable homicide case against him was postponed to July 23 to give him time to brief his lawyer.
Naidoo also faces charges of reckless and negligent driving relating to the accident in Joburg on January 31.
It is alleged that Naidoo took the William Nicol Drive off-ramp from the N1 in Fourways, crossed the median island and hit the side of Mhere’s vehicle.
Mhere and passenger Kady-Shay O’Bryan were declared dead at the scene.
Mhere’s father received minor injuries.
Mhere joined in 2010 after winning the presenter search.
It had been expected that the charismatic presenter would sit on the panel of judges in the search for new talent for the SABC 3 show this year.
Mhere was born in Zimbabwe and was a year old when his family moved to Joburg. He was 26. O’Bryan, a former client services manager at a marketing agency, was Mhere’s best friend. She was 29. The pair were on their way to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town to attend the annual J&B Met.
O’Bryan maintained the blog www.dreamweaver.co.za, writing about her life and eating habits. Shortly before her death, she wrote: “What if I got hit by a bus tomorrow and I didn’t have a slice of cheesecake?” – ANA