Woman granted bail after fatal incident during traditional ceremony in Germiston
A woman, accused of knocking over a teenage girl during a traditional ceremony in Germiston last month, has been granted R5,000 bail.
Martha van der Walt, 68, appeared in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Friday where she faced a charge of culpable homicide.
Last month, Pretty Mahlangu, 13, was killed after a vehicle rammed through a group of teens taking part in a traditional coming-of-age ceremony.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
PICS: Ex-girlfriend arrested for burning down house in Limpopo, causing R500,000 damage
According to the police report, a man was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open, and the woman went berserk. Image: SAPS A 27-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with an arson incident that occurred at her former boyfriend's house at Steve Biko, in the Villa Nora policing area. The arson attack happened on Friday morning, at around 5am, 25 July 2025, at about 05:00. 'According to the report, the male complainant was sleeping in his house when his ex-girlfriend knocked at the door, and he did not open,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. 'She started breaking the windows. He woke up and sought assistance from the neighbors, and that's when the suspect burned down the house.' Police were called to the scene and opened a case of arson. The police officers immediately commenced investigations, and the woman was successfully apprehended. Police said the total damage caused by the fire is estimated at R520,000, 'including all belongings that were destroyed'. The arrested woman is set to appear before the Phalala Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing a charge of arson. The torched house Image: SAPS At the time, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said officers arrested a 46-year-old man in connection with an alleged arson attack that took place on March 20 at around 9 pm. Mashaba stated that a 36-year-old woman from Homu Village was inside her shack when she allegedly heard her ex-boyfriend threatening to set it on fire. When she opened the door, she saw the suspect standing in her yard, holding a container — believed to contain petrol—and a box of matches. He added that the woman escaped and hid nearby before the suspect could ignite the shack. 'The victim fled the shack and hid nearby. The suspect allegedly proceeded to puncture a JoJo water tank with a sharp object before pouring a flammable substance over the shack and setting it alight.' Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the scene, but the blaze had already consumed the shack and belongings worth an estimated R20,000. Mashaba also mentioned that charges of arson and malicious damage to property were swiftly filed. 'Cases of arson and malicious property damage were immediately opened, and the suspect, who resides in the same village, was swiftly apprehended. Preliminary investigations further revealed that the victim had an active protection order against the suspect,' he added. [email protected] IOL News
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Here's what to expect in the Jayden-Lee Meek matter today
After more than a week of stating their case, closing arguments in the Tiffany Meek bail hearing are expected in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday. Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, faces charges of murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Legal counsel are expected to give their closing arguments before Magistrate Annelin Africa, who is set to decide Meek's fate. Meek was arrested on July 11 and has been in custody since then. She previously urged the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family and stated she could afford R5,000. Meek's lawyer, Noven Naidoo, concluded his cross-examination of the investigating officer on Friday. Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek's best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Here's what to expect in the Jayden-Lee Meek matter today
The 31-year-old, Tiffany Meek, mother of the 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, is accused of murdering her son. Image: Timothy Bernard / IOL Graphics After more than a week of stating their case, closing arguments in the Tiffany Meek bail hearing are expected in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday. Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, faces charges of murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Legal counsel are expected to give their closing arguments before Magistrate Annelin Africa, who is set to decide Meek's fate. Meek was arrested on July 11 and has been in custody since then. She previously urged the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family and stated she could afford R5,000. Meek's lawyer, Noven Naidoo, concluded his cross-examination of the investigating officer on Friday. Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek's best interest to stay behind bars. The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier. Naidoo also referred to an IOL article where the man who allegedly murdered a 14-year-old was granted bail in the same court. 'I am not familiar with the merits of that case,' the investigating officer said. Naidoo alluded that if this matter, which was allegedly premeditated, saw the court granting bail with only circumstantial evidence, the State in Jayden-Lee's matter could also probably not have a strong case, and bail should surely be considered. 'I do not agree with that. The State has a very strong case,' the police sergeant said. [email protected] IOL
