Motorist accused of killing teen in Germiston granted bail

JOHANNESBURG -The woman accused of driving through a crowd during a coming of age ceremony in Germiston, killing a teenager has been granted R5,000 bail for a second time. 

68-year-old Martha van der Walt appeared in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Friday on a charge of culpable homicide.

Last month, 13-year-old Pretty Mahlangu was killed when a car ploughed through a group of teenagers attending a traditional ceremony called umhlonyane.

Shortly after the incident, Van der Walt handed herself over to police where she was released on R5,000 station bail. 

ALSO READ:

- New warrant of arrest issued for Ekurhuleni driver accused of killing teen

- Katlehong family outraged over police's communication in their child's murder case

- NPA confirms case against driver who allegedly ran over teen placed on court roll

In court on Friday, her attorney Keniel Muthray said his client will continue cooperating with police investigations. 

"Because of the schedule, she is not required to place efficient facts to show in terms of schedule 5 or 6, which is a little bit more of an onerous task. We just need to see if it’s in the interest of justice that she be released."

The Mahlangu family has accused officers at the Germiston police station of giving Van der Walt preferential treatment.