×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

'Phil masinga caused chaos'

Injured: Sinah Shongwe was hurt when Doctor Khumalo's BMW Z4 crashed into the back of the taxi in which she was a passenger near the N1 Maraisburg offramp on 13 May this year. Pic: Bafana Mahlangu. 29/06/2009. © Sowetan Bongani Valoyi (8 months pregnant at the time of accident) with Sina Shongwe were flung out of the taxi when Doctor Khumalo's Z4 BMW crushed onto the rear of the taxi. The accident happened on the 13 May 2009 near the N1 Maraisburg offramp. They are witnesses and been called to testify.
Injured: Sinah Shongwe was hurt when Doctor Khumalo's BMW Z4 crashed into the back of the taxi in which she was a passenger near the N1 Maraisburg offramp on 13 May this year. Pic: Bafana Mahlangu. 29/06/2009. © Sowetan Bongani Valoyi (8 months pregnant at the time of accident) with Sina Shongwe were flung out of the taxi when Doctor Khumalo's Z4 BMW crushed onto the rear of the taxi. The accident happened on the 13 May 2009 near the N1 Maraisburg offramp. They are witnesses and been called to testify.

FORMER Bafana Bafana star Philemon Masinga caused chaos when he arrived at the scene of an accident in which his friend, soccer legend Doctor Khumalo, had been involved, the Roodepoort magistrate's court heard yesterday.

FORMER Bafana Bafana star Philemon Masinga caused chaos when he arrived at the scene of an accident in which his friend, soccer legend Doctor Khumalo, had been involved, the Roodepoort magistrate's court heard yesterday.

Crash victim Sinah Shongwe said Khumalo had been acting aggressively at the accident scene, but his behaviour worsened after Masinga arrived.

"When Philemon Masinga arrived at the scene he told Khumalo not to allow paramedics to administer a breathalyser to check his alcohol consumption level.

"He told him it was within his right to refuse. Khumalo used his tongue to push it [breathalyser] out [of his mouth]," said Shongwe, a 45-year-old laundry supervisor at Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Shongwe told the court that since the accident, she had had back problems and could not stand for a long time.

"He was sitting in a tow truck and resisted help when paramedics offered to help him get out," she said.

Khumalo's BMW Z4 collided with a taxi near the Maraisburg offramp on the N1 north in Johannesburg on May 4 last year. The jaws of life had to be used to free the female passenger in his car.

Shongwe, Bongani Baloyi, who was eight months pregnant at the time, and Elizabeth Maki Slater were passengers in the taxi, along with driver William Sanyane.

The taxi overturned several times and landed in a ditch.

Court papers show that Khumalo's blood alcohol level was three times over the legal limit.

Khumalo, 41, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Shongwe told the court that all the accident victims were taken to Flora Clinic on the West Rand where a paramedic informed them that a blood specimen had been drawn from Khumalo.

The women were then taken to Helen Joseph Hospital where they were treated.

Slater corroborated Sanyane's evidence by saying that Khumalo had to be supported by paramedics when he was taken to the ambulance. She said he smelt of alcohol and was unsteady.

"He couldn't even sit up straight. He swung from one side to the other in the ambulance. He said to us 'bomama nizoba right' (ladies, you will be fine).

Khumalo said he was thirsty and the paramedics gave him water," Slater said.

Advocate Johan Pretorius said his client would deny that he was drunk.

"He will say that he pushed the breathalyser out of his mouth because he couldn't breathe and that he had chest pains.

"He will also say that the ambulance was travelling at high speed and that made him swing from side to side."

Pretorius asked the court to postpone the trial to allow him time to examine the ambulance.

Magistrate Susan du Pisanie postponed the trial to August 20.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.