The Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court convicted Johan Louwrens of culpable homicide and on a charge of a hit-and-run (alternatively, leaving the scene of an accident) during his appearance yesterday.

Lowvelder reports that Magistrate Patrick Morris agreed to an application by the defence that, although Louwrens has been convicted, he be allowed to await sentencing at home.

“Taking into consideration that the accused has been attending the court for so many years, it is the court’s ruling that he be released on warning, pending the sentencing date,” said Morris.

He postponed the matter to October 3 for sentencing and added that he expected the victim impact statement and the pre-sentencing report to be ready by then.

When delivering the judgment, Morris pointed out that 17 state witnesses testified during the trial.

At least three witnesses testified that they noticed that the white Toyota bakkie that knocked down businesswoman Letisia Niemann (38) outside Mustangs – The Dancing Place at around 23:00 on September 28, 2019, had a puncture.

The magistrate said that Louwrens’ own evidence, in which he claimed he had hit a ditch and sustained a puncture, corroborated the three witnesses’ testimony.

He added that although he denied having hit a woman with his bakkie, Louwrens himself had admitted to being at the scene. A vehicle tracking expert also placed Louwrens’ bakkie at the scene and gave evidence that Louwrens had been driving recklessly around the time of the accident.

Eben Niemann, the victim’s husband, testified that he saw Louwrens inside his bakkie shortly after the accident and could positively identify him.

Eben told the court that he and his wife were walking along the street outside Mustangs when Louwrens’ bakkie knocked her down. “She was severely injured and I sat next to her while waiting for an ambulance that later took her to Kiaat Hospital.”

Evidence suggested the bakkie veered into oncoming traffic before hitting Letisia, who died in hospital shortly afterwards.

Louwrens handed himself over to police and was granted R1 500 bail. The case, initially withdrawn due to police bungling, was later reinstated, with Louwrens released on a warning.

Meanwhile, Niemann’s aunt, Gerida Blignaught, said she was disappointed that Louwrens has been allowed to go home, even though he has been found guilty.

She said he was supposed to be sent straight to jail because he had been convicted.

Niemann’s sister, Lizel Boshoff, was equally disappointed and said this was not fair to her deceased sister.

@lowvelder

Leticia Niemann’s aunt, Gerida Blignaut, speaks to Lowvelder outside the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court after Johan Louwrens’ judgment was handed down. > Video: Riot Hlatshwayo

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media

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