A prominent engineering society has called on its members to foot the legal bill of the man accused of killing five joggers and injuring another in a drunk-driving accident in Midrand last month.
But the sole survivor of the accident has called the plea insincere, arrogant and cheeky.
Mechanical engineer Sibusiso Langa faces five counts of murder and one of attempted murder in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after Moroese Mokoatsi, 34, Reneilwe Lesenyeho, 31, Given Mills, 30, Isaac Tlale, 37, and Nomvula Dumako, 35, were killed in a car crash on October 22.
The sixth jogger, Khanyisa Stengile, was left with a broken leg.
The group were preparing for the Soweto Marathon when a Mercedes ML500 ploughed into them near the corner of Olifantsfontein and Lever roads in Midrand.
Langa, who is out on R80 000 bail, appeared in court on Friday, where his bail conditions were amended to allow him to move out of Gauteng without notifying the Olievenhoutbosch police station.
The Star has learnt that the National Society of Black Engineers of SA sent a letter to its members at the beginning of the month, calling for financial assistance.
In it, society president Sipho Madonsela tells members he has known Langa for 25 years, graduating with him from the University of Natal in 1990. Calling the accident traumatic, he calls for financial assistance.
“In times like these, we need to come together in prayer, compassion, love and support, as some of us continue to do.
“We further need financial support for the legal challenges resulting from this tragedy,” Madonsela said.
The letter said the society was providing assistance by collating messages of support through an e-mail address.
But Madonsela said the society was not supporting Langa and the letter in The Star’s possession was an error that was later corrected.
“The correction said it was not an organisational issue, but an issue of Mr Madonsela.”
He said they were praying for everyone affected by the tragedy, but he was not aware that the families were in need of any financial support.
“We are sensitive to the fact that they need moral and spiritual support,” said Madonsela.
But Stengile, 29, was not impressed with the letter.
A month after the accident, Stengile walks with crutches, but has not yet returned to work.
“I guess they are his friends and colleagues, but what about the people that died? If they wanted to do something, they should have done something for the affected families as well – and not money,” she said.
“He didn’t wake up and decide to kill people, but it looks like his only worry is clearing his name and getting on with his life.” - The Star