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KRUGERSDORP, North West - Sentencing for blue light driver Joseph Motsamai Semitjie, who knocked down Thomas Ferreira while going through a red light, is expected to continue in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (Jan 28).
The former driver of then Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi was convicted of reckless and negligent driving on December 3 2014.
He was driving Mmemezi to a meeting when he crashed into biker Ferreira in November 2011. Ferreira, who was 18 years old at the time, suffered head injuries and was comatose for weeks.
NEGLIGENT DRIVING
During the trial, the court heard that Semitjie was driving on the left side of the yellow line, had not switched on his siren and had jumped a red traffic light.
During his previous court appearance in 2014, the State argued that Semitjie should not get away with a slap on the wrist.
Prosecutor Micky Thesna told the court at the time: "The last thing this country needs is for this accused to have a slap on the wrist."
Thesna argued the rules of the road should apply equally to everyone.
'MEASURE OF MERCY'
However, the defence argued that Semitjie should not be imprisoned and that he be treated with a "measure of mercy".
Llawyer Thomas Mohlobogoane told the court: "The most difficult punishment the accused will have to deal with is to live with his conscience."
He asked for correctional supervision and a fine.
