Frieda Bezuidenhout and her son, Phillip, who died in an illegal street race.
The recent fatal accident during an illegal street race in Steve Biko Road in Gezina, Pretoria, exposed allegations of an alleged cover-up in the South African Police Service (SAPS) to protect those involved.
According to AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, this has also raised serious questions about law enforcement’s possible involvement in the organization and management of these weekly gatherings.
AfriForum’s private prosecution unit represents Frieda Bezuidenhout, whose son Phillip was a passenger in a Honda Ballade that took part in a street race on 3 May. Phillip was killed when the car collided with an uninvolved motorist’s Renault before coming to rest against a pole.
The Honda driver, Willie Momberg, as well as the driver of the Renault, survived the accident. Bezuidenhout’s family was informed that the SAPS is investigating a case of culpable homicide against the driver of the Renault.
That section of the road has been used for decades for illegal street racing and has resulted in numerous fatal accidents. Yet this activity continues unabated.
“The information and evidence that the private prosecution unit has now provided to the SAPS may explain how the active involvement of some law enforcement officers may have contributed to this thriving and deadly subculture of fast cars and powerful engines,” said Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the private prosecution unit.
Also read: DA cracks down on illegal street racing after fatal collision
Footage showing a maroon Honda Ballade colliding with a white Renault at high speed has been widely shared on social media. New footage that has emerged shows a person – whose identity is known – assaulting the injured Renault driver in the presence of SAPS officers who, inexplicably, were on the scene within seconds of the accident.
(Photo: Screenshot/Facebook)
“It is alleged that some SAPS officers may be part of a network of people involved in illegal street racing and the organization of these events. Several of the regulars who appear to be publicly associated with some of the SAPS officers openly brag about their actions on social media and even invite others to join by providing the dates, times and locations of the street races.”
In a letter to the SAPS, Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, that the participants in illegal street races show no fear that the authorities will act against this practice.
“Law enforcement’s failure to prevent street racing from being held on a public road while other vehicles still have access to that road is not only reprehensible, but can also strengthen the argument that law enforcement was complicit in the reckless lawlessness that claimed yet another life. Members of the public must be able to use public roads at any time of the day without the fear that racing vehicles will endanger their safety,” says Nel.
The fact that hundreds of spectators gather every Sunday to watch these illegal street races creates the inevitable conclusion that law enforcement is involved or at least turns a blind eye, Bateman said. “This street race on this particular road was not a one-off or exceptional event, but rather part of an established and organized practice of Sunday road races which is allowed and even supported by members of the SAPS.
Also read: One dies, two seriously injured in ‘street race’
“The information and evidence we have gathered reveals a well-documented – and even arrogant – display of lawlessness on public roads by a group of people connected by a street racing subculture that thrives in the north of Pretoria.”
According to Bateman, the social media accounts of various participants contain evidence of not only their street racing on Steve Biko Road, but also of general reckless and dangerous driving on public roads in their powerful vehicles.
“Given the speed and efficiency with which the SAPS recently obtained social media evidence in a widely publicized case against a politician, the public should expect the same urgency to obtain evidence where the actions in question could lead to the death of innocent motorists and pedestrians or to serious injuries. Should the SAPS fail to do so, it would undoubtedly confirm suspicions of SAPS involvement or a cover-up.”
Maroela Media has meanwhile directed inquiries to a police spokesperson.
