BARBERTON – The 10-year-old boy who was hit by a bakkie as he was crossing the road on his way to school was laid to rest on Sunday June 11.
Abera Tirkaso Gashe, from Ethiopia, the driver of the bakkie that allegedly killed the boy, was arrested and charged with culpable homicide. He was released on R2 000 bail.

Andisa Maseko’s mother, Nelisiwe Singwane, said she was relieved her child could be buried, but she still needed closure and answers from the person who killed him.

ALSO READ: Barberton pedestrian accident: Mother mourns son (10)

Andisa was killed when the motorist in question tried to swerve out for children crossing the road, hitting him in the process. Emergency services declared him dead on the scene.

“The family of the driver who hit my son did approach me to assist me with the funeral costs, which they did. But the person who was driving the car was not among them. I still want answers from him. What will make me happy is to see him punished for what he has done. At the moment, I am not happy with the police investigations.

ALSO READ: Case of shooting on White River minor postponed

“At the accident scene, the driver did not have his driver’s licence with him, only his wallet with his passport in it, and the police now claim he has a licence. I am worried that he will bribe the police and get away with the crime he committed,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Barberton police, Constable Prayer Mbangela, confirmed Gashe has been charged with culpable homicide. He made his first appearance in Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on bail.

He also confirmed Gashe has a valid driver’s licence.

The matter was postponed to July 20 for further investigation.