Cape Town — The man alleged to be responsible for the crash that saw 12 people die in Carletonville, Gert Van Emmenis, was released on R20 000 bail.
He appeared in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and received 12 charges of culpable homicide, and one charge of negligent and reckless driving.
Van Emmenis limped into court after his seven-day stay at an undisclosed hospital after suffering his own injuries, and he was only supported by one other person in court. It is alleged that he only had R10 000 to spend on his bail, but the state did not budge on its judgement EWN reported.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, they did not oppose bail as the state is currenty doing investigations and once it s compelted, they will know to to move forward with the mattter.
[WATCH] The NPA says it saw no grounds to oppose bail against 55-year-old Gert Van Emmenis who is an HR Manager at Harmony. @MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/DBn9GUIIX7
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 18, 2024
As reported by IOL, Van Emmens was granted baill with strick conditions which included handing over his passport to the investigating officer and he was also ordered not to directly, or indirectly, interfere with the witnesses.
According to The Citizen, the accident resulted in the deaths of the following learners: Junior Mankofu (13); Thato Hlalele (8); Thandeka Mtyilibenine (9); Khothatso Sesing (9); Tshiamo Makinta,(9); Hlompho Hlalele (10); Olesego Khesa (12); Katlego Morebudi (12); Sihle Hlalele (12); Reneilwe Hlalele (7) were all from Rocklands Primary School; and Reabetswe Rabodiba (7), was from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig.
On July 10, the NPA said Van Emmens was driving a Ford Ranger bakkie along JB Marx Road in Fochville, when he allegedly collided with a minibus taxi transporting school kids.
Van Emmens will return to the same court on 15 October for further investigations.
Gert Van Emmenis, the 55-year-old driver of the bakkie involved in the devastating crash that claimed the lives of 11 pupils in Carletonville, has been granted bail in the amount of R20,000 by the Fochville Magistrate’s Court
Video : Ewn Reporter pic.twitter.com/DShFyteF8e
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) July 18, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
