Johannesburg - Today, 4 December, marks two years since Reshall Jimmy burned to death in his Ford Kuga in Knysna, in the Western Cape, but his family is nowhere close to knowing what caused his death.
Jimmy's sister Renisha, said the family hasn’t been able to get closure. After a year of trying to get justice was stifled by the National Prosecuting Authority which declined to prosecute, the Jimmys are now pinning their hopes on an inquest granted by a Western Cape magistrate last week.
Reshall died after his Ford Kuga allegedly burst into flames in December 2015. Several other Kugas ignited on South African roads, leading to public outrage. In February 2017 Ford recalled 4556 1.6-litre Kugas built between December 2012 and February 2014.
Renisha said the family was still fighting to get justice for her brother:
“We have in the past week received confirmation that a magistrate has reviewed Reshall’s docket, and that everything has been handed in," she said. “We’ve been given an inquest number to trace and we’re at the final stage of getting a date. We are hoping to get a date for January.”
'Devastating'
Approached for comment, Ford spokesperson Minesh Bhagaloo said Ford recognised how devastating Reshall’s death has been for the Jimmys.
“Given the sensitive and unique circumstances of the case relating to the death of Mr Jimmy," he said, "and the possibility of ongoing legal proceedings, we have nothing further to add on this matter at this time.”
In August, it emerged that the NPA had declined to prosecute due to the lack of evidence to secure a successful outcome. Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the case had been referred for an inquest, but said he was unable to provide more information.