Six-year-old succumbs to hit and run
Phola police officials were called out to the scene and found the little girl lying on the ground facing downwards on her face and her body was covered with a yellow blanket
A six-year-old girl was declared dead after she was hit by a Toyota Quantum vehicle.
The driver of the Quantum did not stop after the accident.
The hit and run was reported on Thursday, August 29 at Vulindlela Street at around 18:15 in the evening in Phola.
Phola police officials were called out to the scene and found the little girl lying on the ground facing downwards on her face and her body was covered with a yellow blanket.
She sustained a skull fracture and was declared deceased by paramedics.
According to a media statement released by Phola Police Station the community became anxious about what transpired and as a result the Waya Waya Community Movement intervened because the perpetrator did not even bother to report to the police.
On Monday, September 2, the president of the Waya Waya Community Movement Pastor Chippa Mtsweni called for a community gathering at Vulindlela Street and invited all six schools in Phola and the Ogies Phola Taxi Association (Opta) to mourn the death of the girl and to participate in finding the perpetrator and bringing him or her to justice.
They marched along the street with learners in their school uniform and gathered near the crime scene and conducted a moment of silence to honour the little girl.
Pastor Mtsweni said that this gathering was to create a good relationship amongst the community, the police and the Opta.
“A good relationship needs to be maintained amongst the police and the community. People should not be scared to the report crimes to the police and let perpetrators be brought to justice.” He also thanked the community and principals of the six schools for honouring the event.
The media statement also states that the Phola Vispol Commander Captain Kamfer and Phola Detectives Branch Commander Captain Mbewe responded to the gathering.
Captain Kamfer addressed the community and said: “A case docket for culpable homicide has been opened and gave credit to his members for doing a very good job in handling the scene in a highly professional manner and for summoning all the relevant role players to the scene,” as the statement states.
The statement adds: “Captain Mbewe confirmed that the police under his command did their utmost best and managed to arrest the perpetrator. This was done after good cooperation from Opta. They, out of their good hearts engaged with the police and searched for the perpetrator and gave the police information which led to the arrest. A confession statement was obtained from the perpetrator and also a witness statement. Additional charges were added during the arrest for failing to stop at an accident and other related charges.”
The suspect was arrested on Monday, September 2 and appeared in court on Tuesday, September 3.
The case was postponed to Tuesday, September 10 and the suspect is expected to apply for bail.
He is kept in custody in due course.
WITBANK NEWS tried to get in contact with the family of the little girl, but they were not available for comment before publication.
