Tragic hit-and-run shocks community

The community of Sithembile was stunned when a man ran over a young girl on Sunday afternoon.

The driver of the vehicle is known to the community.

It is believed that the driver was among a group of young men from the hostel units who had been arguing. He was rescued by a woman and managed to leave the area.

At that time the victim, Nozimbali, and her cousin, Thandeka, were among the people who were observing the fight.

According to Thandeka, the driver came back minutes later, his car speeding towards them. “He ran the car straight onto the pavement, where we were standing with two of the boys that were with the other group. I saw the car first and moved away, and I called out to Nozimbali but it was too late and the car hit her,” explained Thandeka. Nozimbali fell on top of the bonnet before rolling over and falling face-down. The driver then ran away from the scene.

The girl was taken to the Dundee Provincial Hospital before being transferred to the Newcastle hospital, where she is recovering.

The driver of the vehicle appeared in the Glencoe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday – his case was remanded to February 27.