Progress in Pretty Mahlangu case: Matter transferred to regional court

The case surrounding the death of 15-year-old Pretty Mahlangu is making progress after months of delays and mounting community frustration.

Mahlangu died in hospital after she was run over by a car during a traditional coming-of-age ceremony in Dinwiddie, Germiston, last June.

Following months of procedural delays, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has officially transferred the matter from the local Magistrate’s Court to the Regional Court 1.

The decision was confirmed during a brief court appearance on Tuesday of 68-year-old Martha van der Walt, who stands accused of driving her car into a group of girls during the ceremony, killing the teenager.

While Van der Walt, who remains out on bail, was initially charged with culpable homicide, legal representatives said the move to a higher court indicates the gravity with which the state is now viewing the incident.

A COMMUNITY DEMANDING ANSWERS

The tragedy occurred during Umhlonyane, a Zulu “sweet 16” ceremony.

It is alleged that Van der Walt, a neighbour of the host family in Germiston, who reportedly took issue with the maidens’ traditional attire, drove her vehicle into a group of girls performing a traditional Zulu dance. Witnesses claim she ran over 15-year-old Pretty Mahlangu twice before fleeing the scene.

The slow pace of the investigation previously sparked outrage, leading to a unique legal arrangement for the family and the local community.

After hearing the story on Radio 702 last year, Yasmin Omar Attorneys in Boksburg called in to offer their legal services to the family pro bono. Katlehong community leaders, where the Mahlangu family resides, also appointed BP Mthombeni Attorneys to act as a legal liaison for the public to ensure transparency as the case unfolds.

This came after Van der Walt was granted R5,000 station bail without appearing before a prosecutor and claims by the Mahlangu family that police denied them the opportunity to open a murder case after Van der Walt handed herself over to authorities.

Speaking to frustrated community members outside court on Tuesday, Tebogo Chawuke from BP Mthombeni Attorneys expressed confidence in the DPP’s decision to move the case to a higher court.

“By virtue of transferring it to a Regional Court, that proves we are moving in the right direction,” Chawuke said. “The elements of culpable homicide are not similar to those of murder… we have faith in the DPP that he will do the right thing.”

The matter has been postponed to 24 March, when the case is expected to resume in its new jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, speaking to EWN outside court, family spokesperson Mzwandile Soyaya said the family hopes the DPP will add charges of murder, attempted murder, and failure to stop at the scene of a crime.