Boy, 9, killed in hit-and-run by ‘speeding’ taxi

A 9-year-old boy died on the way to the George Hospital after he was allegedly run down by a speeding taxi on Youth Day on Tabata Street in Thembalethu, George Herald reports.

According to eyewitnesses, the boy, who was coming from Phelandaba, was on his way to visit his father in Asazani when he was hit by the taxi while crossing the road.

READ MORE: Limpopo traffic officer killed in alleged hit-and-run

It is alleged the driver, 18, was speeding. The witness said the driver took off and didn’t stop.

The driver was arrested the following day (Sunday) after a call to action on social media asking residents to come forward with information about the accident.

According to the police, they also confiscated the taxi.

The suspect faces charges of culpable homicide, failing to report an accident, failing to stop after the accident and failing to attend to the injured person after the accident.

The suspect appeared in court today, June 19. He was released on R500, and is due to appear in the Thembalethu Magistrates’ Court again on July 25.

Following this incident, residents gathered in Tabata Street calling for the George Municipality discourage speeding vehicles in the street, and to put up street signs and speed humps.

When the George Herald visited the scene yesterday, it looked like trenches were dug in the streets as a means to curb speeding.

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