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EASTERN FREE STATE For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za

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WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

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Girl dies at side of road Driver of vehicle to appear on charges of culpable homicide

} Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – The 14-year-old Meki Portia Mthimkhulu from Giyani near Bethlehem who died (while jogging) after she had been hit by a car last week on the R26 (Riemland Road) near Baken Park, will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Bergsig Cemetery. She was with her younger brother Nhlahla (9) and two friends when a speeding vehicle on the Riemland Road driving in the direction of Reitz allegedly hit her from behind killing her instantly. The group was jogging home. An eyewitness, who was about to cross the road when the incident occurred, told Express Eastern Free State (EFS) that the four girls had been running at the side of the road when a speeding car had hit one of them. Luckily, one of the group managed to pull the 9-year-old out of harm’s way. “I heard a sound. At first I thought the car had hit a pole, but it was the girl. The others fell to the ground. I told my friend to watch out for the vehicle, which didn’t stop, while I ran to the hospital to call an ambulance,” the eyewitness said. According to the eyewitness, the driver in the Ford Figo returned to the scene after he had driven a few kilometres. When Express EFS arrived at the scene the tearful girls were in the ambulance with the mother of the deceased, Mamokete Mmameki Mthimkhulu (34), and her sister, Matefo Sebutsa. Mamokete said she could not believe it when her son had come home in tears and had told her that her 14-year-old had been hit by a car. “I went to the scene and upon my arrival I found my daughter’s body covered with a blanket,” she said. She said it had been the first time that Meki had gone jogging with her friends. “Her friends were used to it and knew the road and it was the first time she had asked to go with them. At first I refused because earlier in the day she had complained about a sore knee. But in the end I let her go. I did not know that I would never see her alive again,” said the heartbroken mother. Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said the driver of the car, who works for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), had been arrested. “He is expected to appear before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of culpable homicide.”

THE body of Meki Portia Mthimkulu (14) from Giyani near Bethlehem lies at the side of the road after she was allegedly hit by a speeding car. Insert: Meki Portia Mthimkulu. Photo: Tladi Moloi, Insert: Supplied


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