Motorist Involved In Carletonville Scholar Transport Crash Out On R20K Bail

A tragic accident last week claimed the lives of 11 pupils and their driver, leading to serious charges against a motorist.

Gert van Emmenis, aged 55, has been charged with 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless or negligent driving. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, was briefly addressed in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The incident occurred last Wednesday when a minibus taxi transporting children to Rockland Primary School and Laerskool Blyvooruitsig was allegedly rear-ended by a Ford Ranger, driven by van Emmenis.

The force of the collision caused the taxi to roll and catch fire, resulting in the deaths of Junior Mankofu, 13, Katlego Morebudi, 12, Tshiamo Makinta, 9, Thandeka Mtyibe, 9, Lethabo Sesing, 9, Reabetswe Rabodiba, 7, Olesego Khesa, 12, and family members Reneilwe, 7, Sihle, 12, Hlompho, 10, and Thato Hlalele, 8. The taxi driver, Nkosinathi Maphukade, also lost his life in the crash.

Van Emmenis appeared in court dressed in a black suit and white shirt. He was released on R20,000 bail, with the case postponed to October 15 for further investigation.

During the court proceedings, the state did not oppose his bail application but requested assurances that he would not interfere with or contact witnesses. Van Emmenis’s attorney assured the court that he did not know the witnesses.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that the state did not oppose bail as van Emmenis is facing a schedule 1 offence and his residential address was confirmed. “Therefore, there were no grounds for the state to oppose bail,” she said.