The long wait for justice is over for the family of 13-year-old Amahle Nakho, who was killed in a horrific Pennington hit-and-run in 2024.

Bhekisisa Ngwane, who was convicted of her murder, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Scottburgh Regional Court and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

He was further declared unsuitable to work with children.

Fatal hit-and-run

The fatal hit-and-run occurred on May 5, 2024, when the Grade 8 learner from Kelso was with her mother and other children on their way to Pennington.

Reports indicate that Ngwane offered them a lift in his vehicle, and they agreed to pay a fee after the trip.

It is believed that once they arrived in Pennington, Amahle, her mother and the children went to an ATM to withdraw money to pay Ngwane, but the machine was not working. The nearest shop was closed as well, so they could not get cash back.

Argument

Once this was explained to Ngwane, he became angry and an argument ensued between him and Amahle’s mother. When the family chose to walk away from the angry driver, he followed them in his vehicle, demanding that they get back in. At this point, the family refused and attempted to flee.

Ngwane drove after them and knocked Amahle with his vehicle, causing her to fall. He then drove over her with both tyres, resulting in the child’s fatal injuries.

Amahle died at the scene; the matter was reported to police, and Ngwane was arrested the next day in Malangeni by Scottburgh detectives.

Investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Salomie Pillay of the Scottburgh Detective Service, ensured that bail was denied to prevent Ngwane from having any contact with the witnesses.

During the trial, State Prosecutor Active Njakazi led the testimony of the deceased’s mother, who witnessed the incident, as well as that of another eyewitness.

The mother stated that she continues to suffer trauma because of witnessing her daughter’s death and that the psychological impact of the incident has affected her ability to work, ultimately resulting in the loss of her employment.

Violent crimes

The National Prosecuting Authority commends all involved in securing this life sentence and said that it demonstrates that those who commit violent crimes against vulnerable members of society, such as children, will be held accountable.

Pillay, who herself is a mother of two children, found the investigation upsetting, but did a sterling job in obtaining justice for the victim’s mother.

As a detective, she has worked on many cases and has learned a great deal over the 33 years of service in the ever-challenging detective environment, which is never monotonous.

Murder conviction

She feels that good convictions in cases of murder, and especially where the victims are women or children, are fulfilling, and serve to reinforce in the minds of the community that women detectives are equally equipped to investigate serious cases with outstanding results.

Pillay is also appreciative of her family who often took a back seat to her career while she dealt with the stress of a demanding profession.

She is privileged to work alongside other hardworking and dedicated detectives who support one another.

Acting Ugu District Commissioner Brigadier Anton Kapp welcomed the lengthy sentence and congratulated the investigating officer on securing the outstanding conviction.

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