111205-Cape Town:Jameela Japhta,9, year old girl who was knocked by a speeding car on Friday night,which the community the believed she was the victim of drugs abuse.Acording to the eyewitness they said she was walking on the pavement.Picture Mlondolozi Mbolo reporter Bianca
Two people have been arrested for threatening eyewitnesses to an accident that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl.
The sinister development is the latest twist in the investigation into the death of little Jameela Japhta who died after being knocked down by a car last Friday.
A 41-year-old man who was arrested at the scene in Flamingo Road, Ocean View, was originally thought to be the driver of the car.
He was released on bail of R500 after he was charged with culpable homicide.
But he was rearrested on Tuesday after eyewitnesses told cops he had switched seats with the other man who was in the car at the time.
The real driver Cameron “Noenkies” Arnolds, 26, has since also been arrested and charged with culpable homicide and defeating the ends of justice.
Jameela’s relatives and neighbours gathered at Simons Town Magistrates’ Court where the two suspects appeared on Thursday.
The 41-year-old was released on bail of R500.
Arnolds was ordered to spend another night behind bars before applying for bail on Friday.
It is expected the State will oppose his bail application.
Cops have confirmed a 49-year-old woman has been arrested for intimidating an eyewitness to the fatal accident.
Another suspect Granwil Daniels, 28, is set to appear in court on Friday after also allegedly threatening a witness.
However, the suspect’s father, George Dick, 53, insists his son is innocent.
“He was with me the whole day until we went to bed on Tuesday because I am in a wheelchair and he has to carry me up and down the stairs of our maisonette,” Dick tells the Daily Voice.
Meanwhile, an internal investigation has been launched into claims the cop who arrived at the scene failed to take blood samples to establish if the driver of the car was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It is also alleged the constable approached Jameela’s family to request that the charge against the two men be withdrawn. – Daily Voice
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Two bust for threatening witnesses