Truck driver in Chabane case pleads guilty
The truck driver who caused the accident in which Public Services and Administration Minister Collins Chabane and his two bodyguards were killed pleaded guilty to three counts of culpable homicide in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Thursday.
Amukelani Rikhotso, 29, also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent and reckless driving.
Rikhotso submitted a seven-page admission of guilt statement to the court.
“I admit that I was over the limit of alcohol as the holder of public driver’s license permit. I regret any actions and my actions were punishable by the law,” Rikhotso told court through his legal counsel.
Chabane and his bodyguards, Lesiba Sekele and Lawrence Lentsoane, died in March 2015 after they collided with Rikhotso’s truck after he had tried to make a U-turn along the N1 between Polokwane and Mokopane.
Rikhotso claimed he tried to avoid Chabane’s speeding car but failed to avoid the crash when the VW Touareg slammed into his truck and pushed it for about 35 metres.
“I observed the car while I was in the middle of the road. I saw the car coming at a high speed and I stopped for it to pass on my left as I did not want it to crash,” he said.
Rikhotso said after he stopped he heard a huge bang. “There was a huge crash, a bang and the truck was pushed to the right,” he said.
He told the court that it was not his intention to drink and drive.
The trial continues. - ANA