dlk001
Executive Member
This sounds horific. The driver did not even attempt to break
2008/03/13
THE Eastern Cape’s MEC for Social Development, Ncedani Samson Kwelita, was yesterday involved in a fatal accident when the car he was driving struck a pedestrian, cutting the man in half.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened, although the MEC was not formally charged, police said yesterday. Kwelita was driving home to Dimbaza in his state-owned Mercedes-Benz when the accident happened just before 6am on the Alice-King William’s Town road near Ntaka junction.
The 37-year-old pedestrian’s torso was found some 50mfrom the point of impact.
Police spokesperson Thozama Solani said the MEC had not yet been charged, but a case was opened with the Dimbaza police station.
“The MEC was not arrested as he co-operated with the police, who drew blood samples from him as normal procedure in car accidents,” said Solani.
Solani said Kwelita was taken to Grey Hospital for the blood samples and once the investigation is concluded, the case would be handed to the public prosecutor for a final decision on whether or not to charge him.
Kwelita confirmed the accident yesterday and said he was alone at the time.
“I was driving to Dimbaza when I saw the pedestrian crossing the road and I swerved to try and avoid him, but he also went in the same direction of the car,” he said.
Kwelita was unhurt but said he went to the doctor for shock before returning to work.
The front part of the car was badly damaged during the accident.
Arrive Alive spokesperson Tsepo Machaea said they suspect the accident could have been caused by high speed.
“My strongest suspicion is that the speed was too high, and to think that the speed limit on the R63 is 100km/h. For someone to be split in half you really have to be speeding,” said Machaea.
He said they had not had any reports of accidents on that road this year, although there were many accidents last year.
Machaea urged both motorists and pedestrians to always exercise caution on the road.
2008/03/13
THE Eastern Cape’s MEC for Social Development, Ncedani Samson Kwelita, was yesterday involved in a fatal accident when the car he was driving struck a pedestrian, cutting the man in half.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened, although the MEC was not formally charged, police said yesterday. Kwelita was driving home to Dimbaza in his state-owned Mercedes-Benz when the accident happened just before 6am on the Alice-King William’s Town road near Ntaka junction.
The 37-year-old pedestrian’s torso was found some 50mfrom the point of impact.
Police spokesperson Thozama Solani said the MEC had not yet been charged, but a case was opened with the Dimbaza police station.
“The MEC was not arrested as he co-operated with the police, who drew blood samples from him as normal procedure in car accidents,” said Solani.
Solani said Kwelita was taken to Grey Hospital for the blood samples and once the investigation is concluded, the case would be handed to the public prosecutor for a final decision on whether or not to charge him.
Kwelita confirmed the accident yesterday and said he was alone at the time.
“I was driving to Dimbaza when I saw the pedestrian crossing the road and I swerved to try and avoid him, but he also went in the same direction of the car,” he said.
Kwelita was unhurt but said he went to the doctor for shock before returning to work.
The front part of the car was badly damaged during the accident.
Arrive Alive spokesperson Tsepo Machaea said they suspect the accident could have been caused by high speed.
“My strongest suspicion is that the speed was too high, and to think that the speed limit on the R63 is 100km/h. For someone to be split in half you really have to be speeding,” said Machaea.
He said they had not had any reports of accidents on that road this year, although there were many accidents last year.
Machaea urged both motorists and pedestrians to always exercise caution on the road.
