THE taxi driver involved in last Wednesday's horrific Cape Flats train crash in which 10 children died appeared in the Blue Downs magistrate's court yesterday with stitches on his head.
Jacob Humfreys, 55, who faces 10 charges of culpable homicide, had his case postponed to next Tuesday for a formal bail hearing.
Humfreys will be held at Pollsmoor prison.
The national prosecuting authority (NPA) said they were still investigating the matter and that the charges could change to murder.
Humfreys was arrested on Sunday and kept at Mfuleni police station after recovering from injuries he suffered during the horror crash.
During his brief appearance before magistrate Gerald Hattingh, Humfreys smiled at relatives.
He is said to have hired bodyguards to protect his family from the angry community.
His lawyer, William Fisher, said while his client had the right to a bail application it was a "sensitive issue" that could anger the community.
Fisher described the accident as a "massive tragedy" and indicated that his client was trying to cope with what had happened.
"We would like to get bail for the guy. we will wait to see what happens," he said.
None of the victims' families were in court. But the gallery was packed with angry residents and mourning friends.
Most of the families were said to be attending three memorial services that were held yesterday.
According to community leaders, the funerals of the 10 children will take place today.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabaziyalila said they had asked for a postponement of the case to check whether Humfreys had previous convictions and was not a flight risk, among other things.
After the NPA investigation "more charges could be added or changed to murder", he said.
"If the driver had obeyed the rules of the road the children would still be alive," claimed Martha van Ruyn, a family friend of one of the victims.
"I knew two of the dead children. They lived in our neighbourhood. It is very sad to lose them. We are very angry," she said.
Washieda Hartnick said: "Our community is heart-broken. It's like the world has come to a standstill for us. He (Humfreys) must go to jail. It's manslaughter."
Community leader Malvern de Bruyn said the community was very disappointed to hear that Humfreys had hired bodyguards for himself and his family.
"This despite the fact that the community had promised to give moral support to his family," he said.
He urged residents to desist from threatening Humfreys' relatives and to allow the families of the victims "to bury their little angels with dignity".
'Killer driver' in custody
THE taxi driver involved in last Wednesday's horrific Cape Flats train crash in which 10 children died appeared in the Blue Downs magistrate's court yesterday with stitches on his head.
Jacob Humfreys, 55, who faces 10 charges of culpable homicide, had his case postponed to next Tuesday for a formal bail hearing.
Humfreys will be held at Pollsmoor prison.
The national prosecuting authority (NPA) said they were still investigating the matter and that the charges could change to murder.
Humfreys was arrested on Sunday and kept at Mfuleni police station after recovering from injuries he suffered during the horror crash.
During his brief appearance before magistrate Gerald Hattingh, Humfreys smiled at relatives.
He is said to have hired bodyguards to protect his family from the angry community.
His lawyer, William Fisher, said while his client had the right to a bail application it was a "sensitive issue" that could anger the community.
Fisher described the accident as a "massive tragedy" and indicated that his client was trying to cope with what had happened.
"We would like to get bail for the guy. we will wait to see what happens," he said.
None of the victims' families were in court. But the gallery was packed with angry residents and mourning friends.
Most of the families were said to be attending three memorial services that were held yesterday.
According to community leaders, the funerals of the 10 children will take place today.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabaziyalila said they had asked for a postponement of the case to check whether Humfreys had previous convictions and was not a flight risk, among other things.
After the NPA investigation "more charges could be added or changed to murder", he said.
"If the driver had obeyed the rules of the road the children would still be alive," claimed Martha van Ruyn, a family friend of one of the victims.
"I knew two of the dead children. They lived in our neighbourhood. It is very sad to lose them. We are very angry," she said.
Washieda Hartnick said: "Our community is heart-broken. It's like the world has come to a standstill for us. He (Humfreys) must go to jail. It's manslaughter."
Community leader Malvern de Bruyn said the community was very disappointed to hear that Humfreys had hired bodyguards for himself and his family.
"This despite the fact that the community had promised to give moral support to his family," he said.
He urged residents to desist from threatening Humfreys' relatives and to allow the families of the victims "to bury their little angels with dignity".
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