Cape Town - The Mitchells Plain Regional Court has found Likhona Mgidi guilty on two charges of culpable homicide, after he jumped a red robot and slammed the taxi he was driving into Nurah and Nishaat’s Thomas’s fathers car.
The tragic incident on March 3, 2023, on the corner of Merrydale Avenue and Wespoort Drive in Portlands, saw 6-year-old Nishaat flung out of the car, dying on impact, while Nurah, 2, died hours later in hospital.
Mgidi, at the time of the crash, did not possess a driver’s licence.
It is believed he fled the scene, but was arrested two weeks later at his Kraaifontein home.
Mgidi pleaded guilty to the charges, and faces additional charges of driving a stolen vehicle and negligent driving, which is expected to be heard on October 15.
He admitted he had failed to stop at the red traffic light, was driving at an excessive speed, and failed to keep a proper lookout. The court accepted his plea and found him guilty.
More information about the fateful day was heard in court, as Adam Mdeni took the stand on Thursday.
Mdeni was the driver who Mgidi worked for as a gaardtjie (sliding door operator).
He told the court he had known Mgidi for just over four months at the time of the incident, and said an unlicensed Mgidi had moved in behind the driver’s seat without his permission and “just drove away with the passengers”.
Mdeni said he got out of the taxi in Epping to urinate, waiting to fill the taxi with passengers.
Mgidi was the gaardtjie that day. A loud gasp could be heard in court when Mdeni explained he had left the key in the ignition and when he returned, he saw Mgidi driving off with the taxi.
When questioned by Mgidi’s defence about why he didn’t go after the taxi or call the police, he said he knew Mgidi and where he lived.
He also admitted that while he allowed Mgidi to drive his car, he never gave him permission to drive the taxi.
Mdeni said he was later informed the taxi was in an accident, and when he got to Mgidi, he did not want to explain what happened.
The girls’ mother, Raihaana Thomas, said she felt a sense of relief that the case is finally coming to an end.
“We can see it moving to a point where things are happening and falling into place. Things are not looking good for him and we are happy.
“We were glad to see that he is feeling this now. He must feel everything lawfully coming his way.”