Are you the witness or the accused, madam?
A misplaced signature may leave you standing in court with a red face. Always check twice before signing anything.
Testimony in a reckless and negligent driving case that appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, pointed out that a little bit of focus can go a long way.
Ms Emmerentia Bosch testified for the state in a case of reckless and negligent driving against Mr Victor Khumalo.
On November 15, 2013, Bosch was driving in Henshall street, She says that she was driving slowly and considerately, when Khumalo bumped the left hand side of her car. On the other hand, Khumalo claims that he was not the cause of this collision. Although further evidence must still be heard in this case, two things were ascertained before court.
Firstly, the damage on Bosch’s car allegedly amounted to between R43 000 and R52 000.
The second fact confirmed before court was rather peculiar. As the accident report, which was completed before a Constable Nkambuhle, was read out in court, the accused’s signature was presented for verification. It transpired that the complainant placed her signature on the dotted line where the form requests the accused to sign.
Although Bosch indicated that this was not her intention, this mistake sounded rather strange when the statement was presented against the accused.
May this serve as a reminder to complainants, officers of the law and all of us who fill out forms with legal implications: rather take your time, read each stipulation twice and sign after you have double checked. It may save you from standing before court with a bright red face!
