The motorist, who is linked to a hit-and-run incident that claimed a Pretoria cyclist’s life at the end of January, was denied bail on Thursday, April 14, at the Pretoria North regional court.

Happy Maahlo (24) was taken into custody on Wednesday, April 6, in Mamelodi.

Maahlo faces charges of culpable homicide.

The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Lourens Lemmer said that Maahlo will remain in custody until his next appearance.

“The case has been postponed to May 30 for further investigation.

“We are still awaiting the post mortem report,” said Lemmer.

As previously reported, the deceased, John Young (48), was hit by a Silver Toyota Hilux double cab near the traffic lights on the corner of Steve Biko Road and De Beer Street at around 06:00 on Sunday, January 30.

Lemmer said that a woman, who resides opposite a school in Villieria, noticed a suspicious-looking car outside her home and a security company was called.

“The security officers found a man sleeping inside the vehicle who was apparently under the influence of alcohol.

“The resident later visited a police station to have documents certified when she mentioned the man to the officers. An officer, who is part of the investigation team, overheard the conversation and drew the right conclusions,” he said.

The registration number of the vehicle was used to locate the owner’s address, but the car and the suspect were nowhere to be found.

“The vehicle belongs to the suspect’s mother, who died in December.

“There was no address or contact number available for him,” said Lemmer.

“It later came to light that the man was wanted for assault and that he was supposed to appear in the Mamelodi magistrate’s court, but he did not show up.

“A warrant for his arrest was issued.”
Lemmer said that as they left the court, a bystander informed them of the man’s whereabouts and that they would take them to where the suspect is situated.

Young was an employee at Citi Protection security company for over 10 years.

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