/ 15 April 2009

Taxi driver to face murder charge

Pretoria minibus taxi driver, Percyval Matji, who allegedly drove over and killed a schoolgirl, will face a murder charge.

Pretoria minibus taxi driver, Percyval Matji, who allegedly drove over and killed a schoolgirl, will face a murder charge.

A charge of culpable homicide against him was changed to murder on Wednesday during his brief appearance in the Pretoria District Court.

The state prosecutor told the court that forensic investigations into the accident had been completed and this had led to the charge being changed to murder.

His case was postponed to April 28, and transferred to the Pretoria Regional Court.

Matji allegedly killed Bernadine Kruger (16) in February this year while she was riding her scooter to school in Garsfontein.

He allegedly hooted at her before he ran over her, killing her instantly.

Matji’s bail of R1 000 was extended until his next appearance in court.

The civil rights initiative AfriForum on Wednesday welcomed the change of the charge to murder.

AfriForum’s head of community safety, Nantes Kelder, said it was essential to send an unambiguous message to not only reckless taxi drivers, but also to all other road users, that lawlessness would not be tolerated.

He also called on the metro police to take stronger action against taxi drivers and to punish violators of road regulations more severely.

”Reckless and lawless taxi drivers can only be called to account by means of the effective application of the law,” he said.

Kelder said AfriForum would continue with its ”clamp down on taxis” campaign and had already submitted a letter, identifying 11 hot spots where taxis endangered other road users, to the Tshwane metro police. — Sapa