Swartvlei accident: Investigation nearing end

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The police investigation into the accident that claimed the life of Danielle van Jaarsveld (41) on Sunday 6 November last year is at an advanced stage. George Detectives are investigating a culpable homicide docket.

Van Jaarsveld died in a head-on collision on the road between the Sedge Links golf club and Swartvlei Beach, while her sister-in-law, Monique van Zyl (29), a passenger in Van Jaarsveld's Kia Rio, is on a long road of recovery after weeks of treatment in the Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town.

The women were on their way to the beach when the accident took place. The other vehicle, a black Audi Q5, is the property of the local Audi dealership.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said although the investigation is at an advanced stage, some statements are yet to be obtained. "Mechanical forensic investigations were conducted on both vehicles and that report forms part of the investigation," said Spies.

"The case docket will be submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority upon the conclusion of the police investigation for a decision to prosecute or otherwise. This is a very sensitive investigation and the investigation officer is in regular contact with a representative of the family."

Spies advised that some of the issues raised in George Herald's enquiry form part of the ongoing police probe. "The police is not at liberty to divulge contents of the docket at this stage," he said.

Desperate times

Some of the questions Van Jaarsveld's family dearly want answered, are: Why have the police not yet taken a witness statement from Monique van Zyl, who was in the car with the deceased when the collision took place? Do Monique's injuries and troubles after the accident form part of the report that will go the NPA? When will the family of the deceased be able to see the docket?

Will Tavcor George, premises of Audi, be a respondent in the case? Did the forensic team of the police have access to the information downloaded by Audi from their vehicle that was involved in the accident, after it was stored at their facility? Did the police acquire the information such as speed and revs at the time of the accident? And will it form part of the docket?

"There is still and always will be a ripple effect felt by family, friends and colleagues, caused by this horrific, tragic and unnecessary accident," said Van Jaarsveld's father, James Shackleton.

"Reservations that were made months ago for the Christmas holidays had to be cancelled, while other family members purposefully cancelled theirs, so that we could spend time together. The abyss this accident has left with us will evoke reminders for the rest of our lives.

"Monique, who miraculously survived the car wreck, had various injuries requiring immediate attention and thereafter underwent major surgery to her shattered pelvis at Groote Schuur. She was discharged on 24 November 2022, having spent 18 days in hospital. She has since undergone further procedures and is doing physio sessions as well. She is not yet mobile without the help of a walking aid," Shackleton said.

"On an emotional, physical and financial level this accident has cost us dearly, and Dani is irreplaceable, which is at the spiritual level.

"Finally, closure will only happen when the case has gone through the courts and we are asking that the case may go to prosecution now."

Monique van Zyl (29) is on a long road of recovery after weeks of treatment in the Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town. She did manage to spend Christmas with her family in George.

Word from Audi

Tavcor dealer principal Paul Balmer confirmed this week that the independent investigation commissioned by Tavcor is not finished.

"The private investigation has not been fully finalised as yet, as restrictions are placed on information requested by the private investigator, which the police are not sharing due to their active investigation of the accident and death of Mrs Danielle van Jaarsveld," said Balmer.

"At this time a final determination cannot be made by the private investigator, and the investigation by the private investigator is ongoing. According to the private investigation, excessive speed was not the cause of the accident."

Balmer said the police are aware that Tavcor appointed a private investigator to perform an independent investigation and evaluation.

"The police did inspect the Audi Q5. The vehicle is still in our possession."

Fond memories: Danielle van Jaarsveld and Monique van Zyl. "Dani and Mo were always doing things together. They loved the beach and spending time together, enjoying life," said James Shackleton.