About 50 people gathered outside the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to mourn the death of Bernadine Kruger, who was run over by a taxi earlier this week.
Two pupils in school uniform from Bernadine’s school in Garsfontein held a wreath and stood in solemn silence as a prayer was read for her.
Members from civil rights group AfriForum held signs that read: ”Taxis are not above the law”, ”We mourn” and ”Reckless driving equals murder”.
A woman whose child was run over by a taxi in 2001 was at the court to show her solidarity with Kruger’s parents.
Marieta Ferreira said her son, Henno ,was 16-years-old when he crossed a road in Garsfontein. A taxi drove through a red traffic light and hit him.
The taxi driver drove away from the scene and after nine appearances in court he was eventually given a six-month suspended sentence.
”For one year he was driving still in that car. I’m just here because I think it’s not right that nothing happens to them,” said Ferreira.
Kruger was killed on Monday when a taxi hit her scooter and then rode over her while she was driving to school in Garsfontein.
The taxi driver was in court appearing on charges of culpable homicide. — Sapa