UPDATE: Centurion hit-and-run accused pleads not guilty
The trial started on Tuesday afternoon with the state calling its first witness.
The accused in the hit-and-run culpable homicide case of a Centurion teen has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Siphiwe Mahlaba appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He is accused of causing the 2017 death of Ruan Viljoen.
At the start of his trial on Tuesday afternoon the charges were read out by the state.
This included one count of culpable homicide with an alternative charge of reckless and negligent driving as well as inconsiderate driving.
Mahlaba was also accused of not bringing his vehicle to an immediate stop following the accident on 19 March 2017.
He is alleged not to have ascertained the extent of Viljoen’s injuries.
These were recorded as counts two and three.
Mahlaba pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following testimony from the first state witness the case was postponed to 18 July.
Viljoen was found dead next to the N14 freeway in Centurion, just two weeks before his 19th birthday.
It is believed he died on the scene after he was struck by a vehicle while walking along the road.
Viljoen had earlier been involved in a minor accident and his car was stuck by the side of the road.
Mahlaba has appeared on six previous occasions in connection with the case.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Centurion hit-and-run defence want blood results
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