Supreme Court of Appeal Sets Aside Humphreys' Murder Convictions

The driver of a mini-bus taxi in which ten children were killed, had his murder convictions and sentence set aside today by the Supreme Court of Appeal. The convictions had been delivered by the Western Cape High Court on the 11th of December 2011. The ten children lost their lives, and four where seriously injured, when Jacob Humphreys drove his mini-bus taxi across a railway crossing resulting in the taxi being hit by an oncoming train. The incident took place on the 25th of August 2010.

The Supreme Court of Appeal today set aside the ten counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, replacing them with ten convictions on the alternative charges of culpable homicide.

“We are never going to change the reckless and irresponsible behaviour on our roads unless severe consequences are imposed by our courts on those who kill on the roads, especially when their actions result in the death of ten children. While I respect the judgement delivered by the respected Supreme Court of Appeal in this instance, I do however feel that the consequence of a murder conviction and a 20 year jail sentence was appropriate.

“The decision to reduce the sentence and convictions is therefore very disappointing as it shows that the highest courts have yet to fully understand the need for consequences as a deterrent to dangerous behaviour we see on our roads, as well as a tool to ending road carnage,” said Minister Carlisle.