Teen tragedy: Protest as suspect appears in court for first time
Families angry that suspect is out on warning only.
There were emotional scenes outside the Roodepoort Regional Court this morning (4 December).
Seventy-odd protesters who had gathered outside since about 8am chanted slogans such as “Justice for our kids” and “Justice for our families”. Among them were family and friends of the four teenagers, Keanu and Kyle de Silver, Liam Gannas and Maleeha Malick, who tragically died in a motor vehicle accident on 25 August. It is alleged that a drunk driver smashed his taxi into their vehicle at the intersection of Ontdekkers Road and Golf Club Terrace.
Read the initial article here: BREAKING: Horrific accident on Ontdekkers Road last night
The accused, Thabo Modikoane, appeared in court for the first time this morning. He stands accused of four charges of culpable homicide and one of driving under the influence. The case has been postponed until 15 February, and 9 to 13 April have been set as preliminary trial dates.
Read here: Teen tragedy: Police make shocking move
Meanwhile the parents of the De Silver twins, Pearly and Dexter, maintain that the investigating officer (I/O) and police are giving Modikoane ‘special treatment’. “We have been warned about him (the I/O). How can the accused kill four innocent teenagers and be out on a warning only? Not even bail.
He hasn’t spent one night in jail and will be spending Christmas with his family while we are mourning. I firmly believe that Modikoane is a family member of a police officer and therefore is receiving special treatment,” said a sad but angry Pearly.
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