Blue light court case: driver blames Ferreira
The state disputed the allegations and a number of state witnesses testified that Semitjie's sirens were not switched on.
Former Gauteng MEC Humphrey Mmezi’s driver appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 5 September after knocking Roodepoort teenager Thomas Ferreira off his motorcycle in 2011.
Doctors have confirmed that Ferreira suffers permanent brain damage from the accident.
Blue light driver Joseph Semitjie stepped into the dock, facing charges of reckless or negligent driving, and failing to assist an injured person.
Ferreira was on his motorcycle on the day of the accident when Semitjie allegedly drove his BMW X5 over the yellow line in Paardekraal Drive, switched his blue lights on and disregarded a red traffic light.
The state disputed the allegations and a number of state witnesses testified that Semitjie’s sirens were not switched on.
In his statement to the court, the driver accused Ferreira of being reckless. Updates will follow as the case continues.
