UPDATE: Candlelight service for west biker, partner
The Pretoria West police officer who was killed in a motorcycle crash last week, was remembered at a memorial service.
The Pretoria West police officer who was killed in a motorcycle crash last week, was remembered at a memorial service.
Warrant Officer Jaun Fritz (47) was killed on 22 September, when his motorcycle collided with a minibus on the Bremer Street off-ramp of the R80 Mabopane highway.
His partner Christelle Botes who was riding with him also died.
Fritz was stationed at the police training academy in Pretoria West and an avid motorcyclist and member of the Mac’s Pretoria West Chapter motorcycle club.
The first service in his memory was held at the Country Mountain pub in Mountain View on Thursday night.
Many motorcyclists from different motorcycle clubs came to honour Fritz.
During the memorial, members of the Mac’s club stood in a circle singing.
Inside the pub, a picture of Fritz surrounded by candles was placed on a table.
Members also had the opportunity to light a candle for Fritz who was laid to rest on Sunday, at the Zandfontein cemetery after a service at Avbob on the corner of Es’kia Mphahlele Drive and WF Nkomo Street.
The driver of the minibus was arrested after the accident.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Driver in police officer death case released on bail
“The driver of the minibus tried to flee, but a witness followed him and managed to get him to return to scene of the accident,” said Hercules CPF spokesperson Ricky Louw.
The driver was arrested after testing positive for alcohol and charged with culpable homicide, driving under the influence and fleeing the accident scene, confirmed Captain Bonginkosi Msimango of Hercules police.
“The suspect was released on bail and will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on 9 October,” said Msimango.
Ward 55 councillor Frik van Wyk expressed his concerns regarding road safety along the R80.
“Speeds need to be reduced drastically when driving south towards the Moot area,” Van Wyk said.
“Road users drive at ridiculous speeds. Serious traffic calming measures need to be implemented on that stretch of road.”
This was the second motorcycle accident in Pretoria that shook locals.
On 14 September, Venessa Olivier, a member of the Ol’ Timers motorcycle club, also died in a motorcycle accident.
She was travelling with her husband Wikus when the accident happened and was declared dead on the scene, while her husband was taken to the Eugene Marais hospital in a stable condition.
He has since been discharged.
READ MORE: NEWSFLASH: Kind-hearted biker and partner dies in West accident
The funeral for Venessa took place last Friday, at the Bergsig community church in Ivor Avenue, Mountain View.
Thereafter, mourners went to the Zandfontein cemetery, where she was laid to rest.
Before the service, a mass ride from Mayville Mall was held in her honour.
Pretoria Moot police spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt said the case was still under investigation.
“The exact cause of the accident will form part of our investigation,” he said.
“Evidence must first be laid in court.”
After the news broke, messages of condolences streamed in on social media from people who knew the family.
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