Former Gauteng MEC Humphrey Mmemezi's driver Joseph Semitjie and his colleague and work partner failed to help Thomas Ferreira when he was knocked down in an accident, the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.
Semitjie's work partner Nomakhosi Onica Mashifane was being cross-examined by prosecutor Mickey Thesna.
“The motorists from different directions came to a stop because of the siren, and we realised that it was safe for us to proceed driving,” Mashifane said.
However, when they continued driving they heard a noise coming from the left side of the vehicle.
“We had already passed the intersection when we heard the noise and it turned out that our vehicle was hit on the rear left side,” said Mashifane.
Thesna asked Mashifane what she did on realising the vehicle had been hit.
Mashifane said she was concerned about Semitjie's condition.
“I paid attention to Semitjie at that time, as he appeared to be dizzy and confused,” she said.
Thesna put it to Mashifane that Semitjie had no visible injuries.
“There was a boy who was laying in the middle of the road with serious injuries, not far from where you were. Why did you not try to assist him?” he asked.
Mashifane told the court she could not attend to both Semitjie and Ferreira at the same time.
Thesna said that as police officers, both Mashifane and Semitjie had a responsibility to assist Ferreira.
“Semitjie was taken to hospital and given some tablets for shock and headache, while Thomas Ferreira is likely to face a permanent brain damage,” he said.
Earlier, the court heard that former MEC Mmemezi ordered that the car's blue lights be switched on before it left his house on the day of the accident in November 2011.
Semitjie faces charges of reckless or negligent driving, and of failing to assist an injured person.
His lawyer Moses Rankoe asked that the matter to be postponed as his client recently underwent surgery and needed medical attention.
Magistrate Abdul Khan postponed the case to September 23.
Sapa