Watkins case postponed again
The case against Musi Walter Manaka (34), accused of causing the death of local resident Elsie Watkins (42) on May 14, last year, was yesterday (December 20) again postponed in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court, to January 17, for final arguments.
The case has been delayed, frustrating magistrate Emmanuel Magampa and prosecutor Taschnee Ramschuran, since December 8 when Manaka’s attorney failed to turn up to present his final argument. The case was then postponed to December 12 but, again, the attorney failed to show up, forcing Magampa to postpone to yesterday.
A legal representative was a no-show again yesterday but Magampa made it clear that January 17 is the final postponement date which will be granted.
Manaka has pleaded not guilty to culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving (alternative charge one), inconsiderate driving (alternative charge two) and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Watkins died after Manaka allegedly lost control of his car at around 1.30am that morning and drove over her.
She had been standing on the grass verge outside their home, near the corner of North Rand and Pretoria roads, with her dad John, taking photographs on her cellphone of a bakkie which had, shortly before, ploughed through their garden wall.
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