Almost nine months after her daughter, Khitana Deonarain, was allegedly killed by a drunk driver on Higginson Highway, Dr Sharona Deonarain has finally seen the wheels of justice turn. Mthokozisi Martin Memela, 45, of Westmead, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on charges of culpable homicide and contravening the National Road Traffic Act by driving under the influence of liquor or drugs.
According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that Memela unlawfully and negligently caused the death of 21-year-old Khitana Deonarain, while travelling on the Higginson Highway on August 18, last year. The incident occurred near the Moorton and Arena Park off–ramp, about 2.5km from their home.
Seeking Accountability and Justice
Deonarain, a PhD graduate in law specialising in criminal justice, said the past nine months had been difficult. She pursued various avenues seeking accountability and justice, including calling the provincial police and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to investigate.
Speaking to the media after Memela’s court appearance, Deonarain said: “Nine months. This is how long it takes to carry a child and bring a life into the world. The same amount of time that once gave us our daughter, has now been spent grieving her and fighting to get here. This contrast lives inside me every single day.”
A Family’s Grief
Deonarain added that seeing Memela made her feel as if she had returned to the night of the incident. “Seeing him brought everything back, every detail of that horrific night. Khitana was not just our child, she was the heartbeat of our home, and she was taken away from us in an instant.”
The matter was adjourned to June for Memela to secure private legal representation and for a regional court date. Some key points to consider in this case include:
- The alleged drunk driver, Mthokozisi Martin Memela, has been charged with culpable homicide and contravening the National Road Traffic Act.
- The incident occurred on August 18, last year, near the Moorton and Arena Park off–ramp.
- Deonarain has been seeking accountability and justice for the past nine months.
As the case continues, the Deonarain family will be seeking justice for their beloved Khitana. For more information on the dangers of drunk driving, visit reputable sources to learn more about the impact on families and communities.
