A 12-year-old South African boy appeared in the Brakpan magistrate’s court on Monday, June 9, charged with culpable homicide and driving without a license after a car he was allegedly driving struck and killed 14-year-old Malcolm Booysens.
Malcolm died instantly after the crash, which occurred just days after his birthday.
According to the country’s National Prosecuting Authority, the boy was not arrested but was taken to the Brakpan police charge office, where he spent the night before being released into the care of his parents. The court has postponed the matter to August 28 to assess the minor’s criminal capacity.
The incident happened on Saturday, June 7, around 1pm at the corner of Madeley and Northdene streets. Authorities say the boy was driving his parents’ vehicle when he hit Malcolm, who was skateboarding, before crashing into a house wall. Emergency services declared Malcolm deceased at the scene.
Ekhuruleni municipality spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed officers found the body and the vehicle involved. Malcolm’s father, Quinton Booysens, told Sowetan that his son had just parted ways with him to visit a friend who was not home when the accident occurred.
Quinton said Malcolm’s mother was visited by the 12-year-old’s mother after the crash, who reportedly admitted the boy had no permission to drive the car. “But no matter what she says or does, it won’t bring Malcolm back,” Quinton said.