IT'S another wait for Carletonville families as the case against a motorist linked to the death of 11 pupils, who died in a freak accident in July, drags on.
Gert van Emmenis appeared briefly in the Fochville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 15 October, where his case was postponed to January 2025 for further investigations.
He faces 12 charges of culpable homicide and one charge of reckless driving.
Reneilwe Hlalele (7) Hlompho Hlalele (10) Thato Hlalele (8) Sihle Hlalele (12) Thandeka Mtyilibe (9) Reabetswe Rabodiba (7) Katlego Morebudi (12) Junior Mankofu (13) Tshiamo Makinta (9) Khothatso Sesing (9) and Olesego Khesa (12), lost their lives on 10 July 2023.
On that fateful day, Emmenis, the driver of the bakkie, collided with the minibus taxi in which the pupils had been travelling, causing it to overturn and catch fire.
Emmenis was hospitalised after the accident, but after being discharged, he made an appearance in court.
He was granted bail of R20 000.
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Reacting to the delay, Tshiamo's mum, Thikgwe Makinta, who was in court, said she has mixed emotions and is tired.
"At this point, I'm tired. I feel like they can just let this go and allow us to heal because coming to court reopens so many wounds we are trying to heal. At this point, I'll have to see what happens and I will accept anything because the kids are gone and will never come back again," she said.
Speaking on her healing journey since July, Thikgwe said it hasn't been easy, but she has made peace with her new reality.
"Our new reality is finding comfort in their pictures and going to the cemetery. I'm still healing from my son's death. It's not something that you get over in just a few months, but I can say that I am better than before and I no longer cry as much as I used to," she said.
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