POLOKWANE – Ramone Heyman, charged in connection with the death of Shannon Sacco (16), a Gr 11 learner of Westenburg Secondary School in March 2016, was found guilty on charges of culpable homicide, driving without a licence and failure to render assistance after the accident.
He will be sentenced on 26 February in the Mankweng Regional Court.
Shannon died after she was hit by a vehicle in Ben Harris Street in Westenburg.
She was on her way home from school when the incident happened. According to an eyewitness, at the time the vehicle was travelling at a high speed.
Heyman fled the scene but was followed by someone who informed the police of his whereabouts.
He reportedly celebrated his birthday on the day.
Shannon was rushed to the nearest hospital, with critical injuries, and succumbed to her injuries later that day.
Heyman was arrested for reckless and negligent driving, but the charge was later changed to culpable homicide after Sacco died.
Read more: Mother of hit-and-run victim seeks justice
Esmerelda Delport, Shannon’s mother, said at the time the suspect was released without a bail hearing having taken place and no blood tests were performed on the suspect the day of his arrest.
She was not happy about processes being followed, and claimed that the police did not impound the vehicle the accused was driving when he hit her daughter, and that the vehicle was repaired within 24 hours after the hit-and-run.
She alleged the accused might have an influence at the court as one of his family works there.
The case was subsequently moved to the Mankweng Regional Court.
