The man accused of causing the death of Nino Oppel was summoned by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to appear in the Krugersdorp Regional Court on April 13.
AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, which is assisting the Oppel family, made comprehensive representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng (DPP) after the NPA initially indicated that they would not prosecute.
Read initial article here: Berge en Dale cyclist killed in hit and run
Oppel was participating in the popular Berge & Dale cycling race in Muldersdrift in 2018 when the accused allegedly hit him with his vehicle and sped away.
Andrew Leask, chief investigator at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit said in a statement the DPP, in reaction to the Private Prosecution Unit’s representations, had indicated already in August 2020 that there was a prima facie case against the accused and that he should be prosecuted.
“Nevertheless, the chief prosecutor on the West Rand only indicated this week that the NPA would indeed institute prosecution. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit wrote another letter to the DPP in February of this year requesting that a prosecutor from his office be appointed to prosecute the accused after it appeared that there were unnecessary delays with the prosecution process. The NPA indicated that they have arranged for another investigating officer to further investigate the matter.
We welcome the fact that the accused has finally been summoned to appear in court, and we will also be in court on April 13 to support the Oppel family. It is, however, shocking that we had to put so much pressure on the NPA to force them to simply do their duty and prosecute the accused without fear, favour or prejudice.”
