Bernadine's mom 'relieved'

2009-09-10 15:44

Pretoria - The mother of 16-year-old Bernadine Kruger on Thursday said she was relieved at the conviction the taxi driver who ran over her daughter received.

The Pretoria Magistrate's Court found Percyval Matji, 31, guilty of running over and killing Kruger on February 23 as she drover her scooter on her way to school.

Speaking outside the court, Kruger's mother, Elsabe Homan said she was "ecstatic" and "relieved".   

"It will never bring my darling daughter back but it’s a relief that he got what he deserved. She was innocently killed."

Handing down judgment, Magistrate Edmund Patterson said: "It was not a mistake. It was not negligence."

On hearing judgment, Homan let out a loud "yes".

'Deliberately followed teen'

Patterson said from the evidence it was determined that Matji "deliberately" followed Kruger and "wanted her out of his way".

He said Matji had made a lethal weapon of his vehicle by driving at speeds far exceeding the limit.

He said Matji's testimony - which had been filled with contradictions – that his brakes did not work and his taxi was too heavy to stop quickly enough was not believable.

"He knew the motorcyclist [Kruger] will fall off if involved in a collision, he knew the motorcyclist would land on the road and active traffic might kill her. He reconciled himself with this thought," said Patterson.

The accused reconciled him with the particular consequence that would follow. He did foresee the possibility of death and persisted in his conduct with indifference to the fatal consequences."

'Go to jail forever'

Kruger's brother Danie, 18, was visibly pleased with the ruling.

"It's unbelievable, I'm glad and wish Matji could go to jail forever," he said before hugging his mother outside the court.

Matji's bail was extended from R1 000 to R5 000 despite calls from the prosecution that he be placed in custody.

Patterson granted bail on condition that Matji give full details of his other address in Mpumalanga and report to the police station each day.

Sentencing would be heard on September 17.

- SAPA