Son of SAPS VIP Protection officer pleads guilty
The teenage son of SAPS VIP Protection officer who killed a beloved Brits father pleads guilty to culpable homicide.
AfriForum said the teenage son of SAPS VIP Protection officer who killed a beloved Brits father pleads guilty to culpable homicide.
THE SON OF THE SAPS VIP PROTECTION OFFICER APPEARED IN COURT
AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman, said nearly three years after a deadly crash that cost the life of an elderly Brits man, the teenage driver pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and driving without a licence.
At the time of the accident, he was on a joyride in his father’s SUV.
THEY BELIEVE THE SON WAS ON A JOYRIDE IN HIS FATHER’S SUV
He said in a statement read out in the Brits Magistrates Court on Thursday that Kgaugelo Masenya (19) accepted full responsibility for his actions and acknowledged that his reckless driving caused the crash and death of Patrick Jewell (65).
“The father and grandfather died nearly three weeks after the 21 September 2021 incident.”
MEDIA STATEMENT: Teenage son of SAPS VIP Protection officer pleads guilty to culpable homicide
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) May 10, 2024
Nearly three years after a deadly crash that cost the life of an elderly Brits man, the teenage driver, who was on a joyride in his father’s SUV, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide… pic.twitter.com/ab1BQexzpw
PATRICK JEWELL DIED WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT
Bateman said Jewell’s daughter, Jacky Jewell, approached the unit for help because the police had failed to investigate the case.
“The teenager’s father is a captain in the police’s VIP Protection Unit.
“It was suspected that the failure to investigate the case was the result of police officers covering for their colleagues. Masenya was 16-years-old at the time of the incident.”
Furthermore, he said Masenya approached the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in April, requesting that they refer his case for diversion rather than trial.
“If diverted, the accused will not have a criminal record. The unit assisted Jacky Jewell in opposing the application due to the serious nature of the offence. Masenya pleaded guilty after the prosecutor informed the court that his diversion application had been rejected.”
THEY OPPOSED DIVERTING THE CASE
Furthermore, Bateman adds that the unit’s investigator, Chris Gouws, drove the adequate investigation and enrollment for prosecution of this matter.
Gouws filed two service complaints against police officials before the SAPS took the matter seriously.
Jacky Jewell felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders as she described the guilty plea.
PATRICK’S DAUGHTER EXPRESSED RELIEF
“I can’t describe this feeling. Justice has been done for my dad. I am so grateful for AfriForum’s support, Chris Gouws in particular who pushed through and never let go. Eventually my dad mattered, so there is justice for him,”
she said.
The court postponed the matter to 26 June 2024 for sentencing.