Families angry as drag-racing case is postponed again

Relatives of the seven people who were killed in an alleged drag-race accident at Tshivhilwi outside Thohoyandou four years ago expressed their anger about the umpteenth postponement of the case.

Mr Mphedziseni Mawela (29) was released on R2 000 bail by the Tshaulu Periodical Court last year and since then the court has postponed his case several times. He was driving the vehicle that had allegedly killed seven community members.

“We are worried that the case is taking too long without trial. We don’t have enough money to travel from our villages to Thohoyandou, without anything taking place,” said Ms Muvhulawa Ravhanga. She is the daughter of Mr Wilson Ravhanga, who was killed in the accident. Her sister, Tsumbedzo Ravhanga, was also killed.

Muvhulawa and other relatives of the victims were in the Sibasa Regional Court on Tuesday, waiting for the trial of the man who had allegedly killed their loved ones in March 2012. It is alleged that two cars were racing along a busy village street at Tshidzini when one of the drivers lost control and ploughed the car into a group of people. Seven of them died and four, including the driver, were injured.

The victims were Munei Munyai (12), Tsumbedzo Ravhanga (13), Vhusiwana Rangani (25), Thifhelimbilu Magaligwa (31), Kenneth Nemaungani (24), Wilson Ravhanga (71) and Daphne Mbedzi (26).

Magistrate Michael Coetzee of the Sibasa Regional Court  postponed the case to 15 September as the legal representative of the accused, Adv Esau Nngwana, was not available to represent him.

Date:14 August 2015

By: Silas Nduvheni

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