Tonga - A SA National Defence Force (SANDF) member accused of knocking down and killing a 10-year-old scholar patrol pupil in 2011 has been given a suspended sentence.
Kago Moses Moiroagale, 46, from Potchefstroom, appeared in the Tonga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Thursday, a Sapa correspondent reported.
Senior Magistrate Sam Nkuna found him guilty of culpable homicide.
He sentenced Moiroagale to eight years' imprisonment suspended for four years on condition that he pay a R4000 fine.
The soldier managed to pay the R4000 fine.
Moiroagale's defence previously argued that he was not speeding or under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
Moiroagale also testified that the taxi driver who was also involved in the accident had not indicated before turning.
The schoolgirl, Amanda Charmaine Thobela, was killed in the accident that happened in Sibayeni village near the Swazi and Mozambican border on September 21, 2011.
Moiroagale had pleaded not guilty to a charge of culpable homicide.
Sapa