Phiwokuhle Mothemela
There were emotional scenes outside of the Gqeberha magistrates court on Monday morning where a group of Nelson Mandela University students gathered to oppose the release of a taxi driver who allegedly rammed into a group of students over the weekend, killing a 22-year-old male student and injuring several others, two critically.
The accident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning following the annual Fresher’s Carnival, an official welcome event for first-year students.
The group of students, including members of the student representative council, pitched up at court thinking that the 24-year-old taxi driver arrested for the incident would be making his first court appearance, only to learn that his scheduled court appearance is on Tuesday.
Police said the driver faces charges of culpable homicide, negligent driving, and drunk driving.
A survivor of the early morning crashs, second-year human resources student and SRC member, Phineus Mathebula, fought back his tears as he recalled what happened.
“I was the shuttle conductor for the Freshers' Carnival. After the celebrations, I directed students where to stand to wait for the shuttles that would take them to their respective residences,” he said.
The taxi, which was reportedly speeding, crashed into the waiting students.
“If only I knew that this awaited us, I would have maybe told the students to rather stay in the stadium until the shuttles arrived,” said an emotional Mathebula.
He said while they were waiting, a Toyota Quantum minibus drove into three of us.
"After colliding with us, the driver stopped, and after realising that he hit us, he tried to flee the scene,” he said.
Democratic Alliance Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada said they would oppose the release of the taxi driver.
He said a candlelight service would be held on Wednesday for the deceased student.
SRC president Lathitha Mbuzwana said they want to send a clear message that the person responsible must be held accountable.
