Jogger murder accused gets driver's licence back

The High Court in Pretoria ordered on Monday that a driver's licence seized from a man accused of killing five joggers be returned to him.

Sibusiso Langa, a mechanical engineer, was allegedly drunk when his Mercedes-Benz ML500 ploughed into the group of joggers on October 23, 2011.

Last year, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court referred Langa’s trial to the High Court in Pretoria.

On Monday, the High Court heard that Langa’s defence team was not ready to go to trial.

It had submitted a plea bargain proposal, which was turned down by the State earlier this month.

Richard Mkhabela, for Langa, told the court preparations for a trial had been hindered by the fact that his client did not have his driver’s licence and his movements were limited.

Judge Potteril Sulette instructed the State to ensure that Langa got his licence back, which would allow him to move and consult his lawyers and also to ferry his witnesses.

During Langa's previous appearance, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on May 11, the prosecution said he faced five counts of murder, one of attempted murder and charges related to drunk driving.

He was granted bail of R80,000 in October 2011. As part of his bail conditions, Langa, who is also a United States citizen, was ordered to surrender both of his passports, and his driver's licence.

The joggers killed in the crash were Given Mills, Nomvula Dumeko, Reneilwe Lesenyeho, Moroesi Mokoatsi and Isaac Tlale.

Mills' mother expressed outrage at the court’s decision to return Langa's licence.

The matter was postponed until Thursday.