North West provincial road traffic management authorities on Thursday lodged a formal complaint againstthe prosecutor in the case against a motorist accused of driving 211 km/h on a 120 km/h speeding zone. The authorities allege that the prosecutor discussed technical aspects of the case with the complainant in the presence of the attorney representing the accused and therefore wish that he be withdrawn from the case when it resumes on 15 April 2011.
The alleged anomaly occurred on Wednesday after the accused, Khaphutshelo Nephumbada’s fourth court appearance and postponement of the case in the Matlosana Traffic Court in Klerksdorp.
The alleged speeding offence occurred on the N12between Stilfontein and Klerksdorp on Saturday 20 February 2011.The33 year old Nephumbada allegedly nearly knocked down a provincial road traffic management traffic officer who tried to stop him at around 4:10 pm after the speed camera had clocked that he was driving 91 kilometres over the permissible speed.
Unfortunate for Nephumbada, the vigilant officer had memorised his number plate before jumping into his City Golf to give chase. The officer pushed his vehicle to 180km/h in pursuit of the suspect but couldn’t keep pace with the speeding BMW. The vehicle was later traced to Amalgamated Beverages Industries-Coca Cola in Klerksdorp.
Nephumbada purportedly handed himself to the police in the evening after attempting through a third party to “talk the matter over” with the traffic officer. He has been out on R500 bail.
In condemning the alleged speeding, North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono had said that chance takers are accident makers that putthe lives of other road users at risk.
Enquiries: Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: Lkgwele@nwpg.gov.za
