Thato Perseverance Aphane (17), a Grade 12 learner from Parklands High School, is fighting for his life in the Netcare Union Hospital.
He was knocked over by a car across from the Caltex Garage in Kritzinger Road in Florentia on October 12 while walking home from school.
According to his mother, Tryconia, the driver is allegedly an intelligence police officer. “Thato has been in an induced coma since the accident and has suffered severe brain injury. At this stage, doctors can’t do much for him because of the swelling on his brain,” said Tryconia.
His condition is stable but critical.
“Thato had 80 days left of his matric year and we just got the news that he has been accepted at Boston City College to do his diploma in network systems. But in a blink of an eye everything changed. We now need to focus on his recovery,” she said.
The accident
On CCTV footage, one can see Thato’s body flying through the air and then a white car appears on the screen.
The driver stops his car just before the circle in the road and then reversed to the scene as Thato was laying there.
Tommie Stoltz, principal of Parkland High School, was notified by a member of the public about the accident and rushed to the scene. He informed Thato’s mother about the accident.
Thato’s mother recalled, “I was in Braamfontein and I remember phoning Thato’s uncle, Elias Thole, who was in New Market, who drove to the scene. When I got to the scene, Thato was already in the ambulance, ready to be transported to Union Hospital. I followed them to the hospital.”
Tryconia said she did not see or meet the police officer, but on the night of October 12 Thato’s father, Matadi Aphane, received a phone call from him, asking them to meet with us.
“We told him we are not ready to meet him. When we are ready we will meet with him. The very same night I was told by the hospital councillors that there were police at the hospital working on the case. I was surprised as I didn’t open any case with the police,” said Tryconia.
Confusion
On the morning of October 13, Tryconia and Elias went to Alberton SAPS to enquire about the case opened at the scene on Monday. To our shock the case was open but there was no investigation officer allocated to the case. Now the question is, who is this police officer who was at the hospital Monday night.
Thato’s father received another phone call from the police officer, requesting to meet again. He indicated he was at the hospital and will let him know when we are free and ready to meet with him. As we walked out of the ward, there were two gentleman standing there.
“As I was still trying to understand what was happening with them as they were talking to Thato’s father, his uncle mentioned that one of them was the police officer and we noticed he had a police card in his hand. As we were walking out of the hospital, there he was at the parking lot waiting for us,” Tryconia said
“My question is how did he get access to the hospital and the information as to where Thato’s room is as we as parents have to inform the doctor before coming to the hospital?” asked Tryconia.
According to Elias, Thato’s father told the officer multiple times they are not ready to meet him.
“Since the accident he keeps phoning us, asking to meet.”
Later on that day Tryconia, Matadi and Elias went to Alberton Police Station to open a case against the police officer of negligence and reckless driving, intimidation, interfering with the case and him misusing his power as a police officer to gain access and information about Thato, but the officers at the station refused.
Told two cases can’t be opened
On October 14 Tryconia went to the Alberton Police Station again to open a case and still they refused. Tryconia told the RECORD they have been back and forth to Alberton SAPS trying to open a case.
They also tried to open a case of intimidation and a case of interference against the alleged officer, but they could not.
After approaching the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), it was brought to their attention that an investigating officer (IO) has been allocated to the State’s case late on the night of October 14.
On October 15, Thato’s uncle and his mother met with the IO, but they feel it is still not clear why they cannot open a case for the accident.
“The IO said I can open a case against the officer, but we cannot link it to the accident. Why are they taking my right as a parent, who is allowed to open a case, away?”
Comment from SAPS
The RECORD made contact with the spokesperson of Alberton SAPS who then referred us to Capt Mavela Masondo, the Gauteng SAPS provincial spokesperson.
Masondo explained a case of reckless and negligent driving, with case number 213/10/2020, has been opened for investigation and that there can’t be another case opened for the same incident. He also said if the family or anyone feel intimidated by whoever, he or she can open a case of intimidation against that person.
Thank yours
The family wants to thank the active community of Alberton for all their assistance on the day of the accident.
“Thank you to the principal of Parklands High School and staff members from the Caltex garage in Kritzinger Road.
“Thank you for the quick response from the paramedics and thank you for the great care and service we’ve received from Union Hospital,” said Tryconia.
WARNING: Graphic video may disturb sensitive viewers.
WATCH the CCTV footage of the accident
