FF PLUS PLEASED ABOUT LONG PRISON SENTENCE FOR TAXI DRIVER

The Freedom Front Plus is pleased about the long prison sentence handed down in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court today to the taxi driver who had killed Bernadine Kruger on purpose. The driver was sentence to an effective 12 years in jail and it is a clear message to all drivers and more specifically taxi drivers, to not only think of themselves but also about all other road users.

The FF Plus is proud to say that it had played a strong opposition role and had through their civil activism played an instrumental role in the outcome of the case and sentencing today of the taxi driver. The accused, Percyval Matji, had initially just been charged with manslaughter on the basis of reckless and negligent driving, but after Dr. Conrad Beyers, FF Plus Councillor in Pretoria and Advocate Anton Alberts, FF Plus Parliamentary Member, had made submissions to the National Prosecuting Authority, the charge was changed to that of murder of which Matji was found guilty today and sent to prison for a long time.

The FF Plus views this case as a victory for Bernadine's family, for all law-abiding road users and for the party. Beyers said that the court decision and sentencing will send a strong message to all aggressive and reckless taxi drivers.

The FF Plus praised the NPA's professional handling of the case. "The NPA's amenability, by taking the request of the FF Plus seriously, has lead to a very important decision. Without it, the taxi driver could still have been driving on the road today," Beyers said.

"We understand that Ms. Elsabé Höman, Bernadine Kruger's mother, is very satisfied with the sentencing and we are glad that we could have supported her in these difficult times," Adv. Alberts said.

Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, Freedom Front Plus MP, and Dr. Conrad Beyers, FF+ councillor, September 17 2009

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