More than a year after Farren du Preez, 19, lost her life in a devastating taxi accident on Delft Main Road, the legal process has finally begun to unfold. On Monday, the taxi driver accused in connection with the fatal crash made his first appearance in the Bellville Magistrates Court. However, the matter has been postponed and is scheduled to resume on 2 June 2025.
For the grieving family, who have endured months of sorrow and uncertainty, this marks a meaningful step forward in their pursuit of justice.
“We are happy that there is a start in the case because a year has gone by already. In March, it was a year since she died so daar is darem nou ‘n begin in die saak,”
said Farren’s sister, Myrna Claasen, expressing cautious relief at the progress.
On that tragic day in March 2024, Farren du Preez left her home in Roosendal, Delft, as part of her daily routine. She was on her way to work when disaster struck shortly after 10am.
According to emergency personnel, she was declared deceased at the scene, while other injured passengers were rushed to medical facilities for urgent treatment.
An eyewitness, who spoke of the terrifying moments leading up to the accident, painted a picture of chaos and recklessness on the road:
“I was walking from Belhar Mall when I saw the taxi which Farren was in overtake another taxi and then swerve to try and avoid the other [oncoming] taxi.
Next thing I saw people flying out of the taxi and the taxi landed on top of two passengers, one of them being Farren. I suspect that they sat near the door because the door was off.”
The details revealed by the witness point to alleged speeding and dangerous manoeuvres, underscoring the peril faced daily by passengers who rely on public transport.
At the time of the accident, Delft police confirmed the registration of a culpable homicide case. The investigation, which took months to progress to this stage, was seen by many as moving too slowly given the gravity of the incident.
For Farren’s family and friends, the prolonged wait for answers only deepened the pain of her loss.
Farren’s absence from work on the day of the crash initially caused confusion among those close to her. A family friend recalled how the grim realisation unfolded:
“They thought she was still waiting for a taxi as her work phoned to say that she never arrived at work and she was not answering her phone.”
It was only when they arrived at the accident scene that the devastating truth became clear.
Family’s Long Wait for Justice
The commencement of court proceedings, while delayed, is now viewed by the family as a sign that justice may yet prevail.
For those left behind, the wounds from that day remain raw, but the appearance of the accused driver in court has brought some measure of reassurance that their fight for accountability is being recognised.
Farren du Preez’s tragic story is a sobering reminder of the dangers that commuters face daily and the enduring emotional impact on families whose loved ones become victims of reckless driving.
