A suspect (39) briefly appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (2/7) where he was also charged with Contravention of the Immigration Act after an accident in the city that has so far claimed two lives.

The Zimbabwean national would face an additional charge after another teenager, a girl (19), passed away in hospital on Tuesday.

The accused allegedly caused an accident when he crashed into the back of a taxi that had stopped at a red robot in Homestead on Sunday. The taxi was filled with PA members returning from a convention in Kathu.

Northern Cape Cricket sent their condolences to the family of Omphile Jonas (16) who was killed in the initial hit-and-run incident. He represented the Northern Cape in the CSA Hub Challenge in George in March 2024.

“His contributions on and off the field were invaluable, and teammates and friends will deeply feel his absence. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family in this sad time,” said Northern Cape Cricket CEO Thapelo January.

Youth Alliance Provincial Secretary Mikayla Booysen passed away on Tuesday after succumbing to the injuries sustained during the crash.

News of Booysen’s death broke just moments after the accused appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

“That illegal foreigner that rammed into their kombi after speeding away from killing another child has broken us totally. We have lost big. Mooi loop, Mikayla, you wanted to become my bodyguard when I become a minister. God selected you to be a guardian angel instead,” commented Patriotic Alliance Leader, Gayton Mckenzie on Facebook.

Three of those injured in the accident are still in hospital, of whom one is in ICU.

The case was postponed to Thursday (4/7) while the accused will remain in custody as the investigation continues.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony cg