Family demands justice for teen killed in hit-and-run during coming-of-age ceremony
Relatives of Thando Pretty Mahlangu say police have obstructed their efforts to seek answers, as they push for the case to be tried as murder, not culpable homicide.
A Katlehong family in Ekurhuleni is still reeling from the death of their 13-year-old child who died at a traditional sweet 16 ceremony in Germiston.
702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by Sibongile Dhlamini, the mother of Thando Pretty Mahlangu, who was killed by a motorist during her coming-of-age ceremony.
Listen below:
The mother of a teenage girl killed by a motorist during her coming-of-age ceremony last month has spoken about the moment her daughter was struck, twice, by the car.
Thando Pretty Mahlangu was run over by a female driver who later told police she was driving to escape attackers.
Dhlamini told 702 that Thando and her friends had been dancing at the umhlonyane when the driver asked them why they were topless and blocking the street.
She explained how the driver drove through the crowd, hitting Thando - and then reversed, hitting the teenager a second time with her car before driving off.
"I tried to run after her."
- Sibongile Dhlamini, mother of Thando Pretty Mahlangu
Mzwandile Soyaya is the spokesperson for the family, and a relative of Thando.
He says they were initially told by police officers at Germiston police station that they were 'interfering' with the investigation when they tried to enquire about the status of the case.
The 68-year-old suspect handed herself over at Germiston police station and was released the same day on R5,000 station bail.
Through media reports, the family says they've learned about the progress of the case.
"Finally today, she will get to appear in court."
- Mzwandile Soyaya, relative of Thando Pretty Mahlangu
Yasmin Omar is a lawyer who has taken on the family's case pro bono.
She says repeated requests to the police and prosecuting authorities were met with obstruction.
"The accused was granted police bail in circumstances we don't understand and need to investigate."
- Yasmin Omar, Attorney
Omar says video footage from the incident shows that the case must be tried as murder and not culpable homicide.
"We're looking at the maximum punishment for the accused in this matter."
- Yasmin Omar, Attorney
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.