Couple demand justice for their daughters
A Portland couple are demanding justice for their two daughters who died in a car crash after a taxi allegedly ran a red light.
The 22-year-old taxi driver, who is facing charges of culpable homicide, according to the police, appeared in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
A Toyota Quantum jumped the light and hit an Opel Corsa at the intersection of Wespoort Drive and Merrydale Avenue, on Friday March 3, said Mitchell’s Plain police spokeswoman Sergeant Zandi Langa.
Nishaat Thomas, 6, and her sister, Nurah, 2, were in the Corsa, which was being driven by their father, Abdurahmaan.
Nishaat was killed on impact after being flung from the car, while Nurah died two days later at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
Mr Thomas, who survived the crash with minor injuries, said he had just picked Nurah up from crèche, in Eastridge, and they had been on their way home when the taxi had hit them.
Speaking to the Plainsman last week, he and his wife, Raihaana, said their girls had been their life.
“They were our everything. We lived for them. We just want justice for our little girls,” said Ms Thomas.
Mr Thomas said the community had rallied behind the family and had stopped the taxi driver from driving off.
Ms Thomas urged the taxi’s passengers to come forward and explain what happened.
She said she had been at work in Epping when she got the call about her daughters and husband being in an accident. Earlier that day, Nurah had phoned her to ask what time she would be getting home.
On Saturday afternoon, she left Nurah’s hospital bedside to attend her other daughter’s funeral.
“Her last words to me were, ‘Pick me up, mommy’, and I couldn’t pick her up because her legs were in traction.”
On Sunday morning, Ms Thomas got a call to say Nurah had gone into cardiac arrest.
“Her tiny body couldn’t handle the pain. Her tiny body was just in too much pain,” she said.
Mr Thomas said the girls had been inseparable and had known each of their neighbours by name.
“They were like children should be. They loved to play, and when they played outside, they greeted each of the neighbours,” he said.
Ms Thomas said a private investigator, who had volunteered his services, was on the case.
The family’s neighbours had pushed the damaged Corsa home after the crash, said Mr Thomas, adding that he and his wife had been overwhelmed by the messages of support and condolences from the community, including Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, ward councillor Goawa Timm and Infrastructure MEC Tertius Simmers.
Sergeant Langa said the taxi driver had been arrested at his Kraaifontein home on Saturday, and she urged witnesses to the crash to come forward.
Anyone with information can call investigating officer Constable Jonathan Jacobs at 021 370 1791.
