Merebank teenager killed in alleged hit and run
Family spokesperson, Pat Pather, said the family was devastated after learning about his grandchild’s sudden and tragic passing and that they would leave no stone until the perpetrator was found and answered for his crime in a court of law.
The festive season, which is usually filled with so much joy, will be a bleak one for a Merebank family after losing their teenage son in a tragic hit and run incident on Friday, December 8.
To make matters worse, the teenager, Thaveshan Tristan Govender, died a day before his 18th birthday, and had just completed writing his final matric exams.
Family spokesperson, Pat Pather, said the family was devastated after learning about his grandchild’s sudden and tragic passing and that they would leave no stone until the perpetrator was found and answered for his crime in a court of law.
“My nephew, who is Tristan’s father, called me and told me something had happened to his son. When we arrived at the scene at the corner of Himalaya’s Road and Lahore Road, the scene was already cordoned off by police. We saw a body lying on the road, unaware that it was my grandson. One of the officers had showed me the identification and I told him that was my grandson, Tristan. It was heartbreaking when we informed his mother that her son had passed on,” he said.
Pather explained that at the time of the teenager’s passing, he had gone to visit his grandmother and told her that he needed to withdraw some money and would be back soon.
“I believe he walked through the Himalaya’s Road Sports Grounds and proceeded to the Navy area. When he got to the pedestrian crossing, which is in two levels and separated by an island, he crossed the first street and went onto the island.
According to reports from bystanders at the scene, there was an army truck that stopped at the second pedestrian crossing and there were five other cars behind it that had also stopped on the left hand side of the road. As the child was crossing the road, there was a black BMW on the right lane and according to what we heard, the car was speeding and knocked into the child. The driver stopped and got out of the vehicle and saw the child lying there. He went back into his car and drove off and left the child on the floor,” Pather added.
He further stated that the community is up in arms over the incident, which could have been avoided had the driver stopped at the robot like the other vehicles.
“The family is devastated and wants justice to be served. The matter is under investigation at Wentworth SAPS and we are leaving it in their capable hands,” he continued.
Pather described Thaveshan as a pleasant and humble child who will be missed by family and friends. Pather said that the absence of his beloved grandchild has created an empty space in their hearts which cannot be filled. Thaveshan’s funeral took place last Tuesday.
