MORE than a week after Chace van der Walt was involved in an accident with the controversial VIP protection unit, details of his version have emerged – and they are in stark contrast to the official version.
The 23-year-old machine programmer from Benoni allegedly collided with the lead car in a presidential motorcade on January 3.
Police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said a warning shot was fired at Van der Walt when he attempted to flee – and that he had been travelling alone. However, his lawyer, Hugo van der Westhuizen, said Van der Walt, who was driving a red Golf GTI, had been travelling with his mother at the time, who was in the front passenger seat. He also alleged that his client was shot at, and that there was no “warning shot” as police have claimed. “While passing a motorcade of several black motor vehicles, a passenger in one of the vehicles came halfway out of the passenger window and pointed a firearm directly towards the head of our client, while all the vehicles were in motion.
“Without warning or notification, shots were fired towards our client, causing injury to his right arm and striking his vehicle several times,” said Van der Westhuizen. As a result of the shooting, Van der Walt then crashed into the back of one of the vehicles in the motorcade, which had come to a complete stop in front of his car, said Van der Westhuizen.
Van der Walt was released from hospital on Saturday. He has been charged with reckless and negligent driving and was granted bail in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court last Tuesday. He is due to appear in court again tomorrow. Van der Westhuizen said he intended to have the case against his client withdrawn and then begin civil and criminal proceedings against the State.
Meanwhile, footage from the SABC was also confiscated by the VIP unit and allegations are that certain material was erased. — The Times, Avusa Group News
