The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed Monday's conviction of a Cape Town taxi driver who was found guilty on 10 counts of murder and four of attempted murder.
Jacob Humphreys' (55) conviction relates to a horror accident in Blackheath in August 2010 when his taxi was hit by a train as he tried to outrun the locomotive at a level crossing.
Outside court relatives of Liesl August, 11, Cody Erasmus, 15, Jody Phillips, 13, Reece Smith, seven; Nolan February, 13, Michaelin de Koker, 11, Jason Pedro, 14, Nadine Marthinissen, 16, Jeane-Pierre Willeman, 13, and Jade Adams, 10, cried and embraced
each other.
"I am happy that justice has been done," said Vanique Skippos, a relative of Marthinissen.
National Prosecting Authority spokesperson, Mtunzi Magha, says Humphreys murder conviction should send a clear message.
"This is a confirmation that our aggressive stance on irresponsible drivers, charging them with murder instead of culpable homocide is bearing fruit. And it is a clarion call to all motorists to exercise caution and be responsible when using the road," he said.
"We are looking for a sentence that is severe that will deter other road users," Mhaga said.
He says a precedent for a murder conviction in a case of culpable homocide has already been established in the Grahamstown High Court.
Mhaga says it relates to a case where a man who tried to outrun the police ploughed into four pedestrians.
"He is serving 18 years now for murder. We said (a murder conviction) is sustainable and there is precedent. The precedent does not come from the lower courts, it comes from the High Court which means the approach is sustainable," Mhaga said.
Meanwhile, Western Cape Transport Minister, Robin Carlisle has also welcomed the Humprheys judgement.
'The National Prosecuting Authority must take full credit for having the courage and determination to forge ahead with murder charges. Increasingly we are seeing the NPA take a firmer line with those who kill and maim on the roads,' said Carlisle.
'The NPA's approach will enjoy the backing of the vast majority of South Africans, who want to see the carnage on the roads brought under control.
'There are a number of cases that I am personally following very closely where speeding, drunk and negligent killer drivers have run down children in the street, or smashed the vehicles of innocent drivers and passengers from behind at high speed, senselessly condemning the occupants to an agonising death," he said.
Humphreys will be sentenced in February.
