RTMC welcomes decision by NPA to charge reportedly drunk driver with murder for crash that killed four people

10 April 2018 | From Arrive Alive


The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) welcomes a decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge driver with murder after causing a crash that killed four people.

Mr. Lazarus Malatjie, 42, was initially charged with culpable homicide. The charge was changed to murder after his blood alcohol tests came back positive.

Mr Malatjie was charged with culpable homicide last year in September after he drove into five youngsters, killing four and injured another one critically.

The NPA invoked the principle of Dolus Eventualis after laboratory tests proved that his blood-alcohol level during the crash was 0.30 far above the legal alcohol limit of 0.05. The case has since been postponed to 7th of May and will be heard at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. 

RTMC CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi said the charge will send a strong message to all motorists that driving under the influence of alcohol will not be tolerated.

“This charge confirms our deeply held view that the prosecution of traffic offences should be tough in order to deter errant drivers and improve compliance with the rules of the road.

We are extremely pleased by the direction taken by the NPA on this matter and hope this will be applied consistently for dangerous & negligent driving cases,” he said 
 
 

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