Bridge tragedy lawyer sentenced
Disbarred lawyer Koobashan Naicker who caused a multiple car pile-up on the Athlone bridge in March 2011, resulting in the deaths DPHS schoolboy Connor Bell, his mother Gillian and dance teacher Carmen Hunter was sentenced to six years imprisonment on Friday.
NEARLY three years after the life-altering accident at the Athlone bridge which claimed the life of her grandson Connor and daughter-in-law Gillian, Morningside grandmother, Audrey Bell has finally got some closure and shed tears of relief as the driver of the vehicle, dibarred lawyer Koosbashan Naicker, was sentenced to six years behind bars. A 19-year-old dancer, Carmen Hunter also died in the crash.
Naicker appeared in court before magistrate Blessing Msani on Friday morning. The Bell and Griffiths family have been on a roller-coaster ride patiently waiting for the wheels of justice to turn. “We were shocked and horrified when we heard that he was released on R8000 bail and given his driver’s licence,” Audrey said last October after Naicker had appeared in court. However, last week, with justice finally being served, she said there was “no reason to celebrate.”
She told Berea Mail outside court, “This has wrecked his (Naicker’s) life and his wife’s life too. The judge was firm and fair and this is a clear message to drunk drivers. Both the prosecution and defence had good closing arguments, it was fair,” she said.
Audrey said Naicker still showed no remorse and did not offer any apology to the family. “He walked down the stairs and didn’t even look at us, but he was wringing his hands indicating that he was nervous,” she added.
South Africans Against Drunk Driving supported the families throughout the ordeal and court appearances. Caro Smit, director of SAAD said, “We are very pleased that Naicker was jailed, but believe the sentence was too lenient. According to what is allowed in the Road Traffic Act, six years in prison for each death should have been given, therefore a minimum of 18 years for Naicker,” she said.
Smit’s concern was that Naicker could be let off on parole for good behaviour in the near future. “He should never be allowed to drive and if allowed to drive, should have an alcohol ignition interlock immobiliser before he drives, so his car only starts when he is completely sober. The case is a small step in the right direction and we thank the media for working with us and highlighting the case and our protests,” she added.
