Blue light driver jailed

Thomas Ferreira will probably never know that the blue light driver who crashed into him has been jailed.

The accident in November 2011 left Krugersdorp teen Ferreira, now 21, brain-damaged.

Joseph Motsamai Semitjie, who was convicted of reckless and negligent driving and three other charges relating to failing to help Ferreira, was sentenced in Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court yesterday to five years behind bars.

He can apply to have his sentence converted to correctional supervision after serving 10 months.

Magistrate Abdul Khan said Semitjie "missed a golden opportunity" when he failed to testify in mitigation of sentence.

Based on previous statements by Semitjie during his trial, Khan found that the police officer and VIP unit driver's remorse was only "skin-deep".

He condemned Semitjie for failing to assist the injured Ferreira and said he had been more interested in the damage to his vehicle than the plight of the victim.

At the time of the incident, Semitjie was taking former Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi to a meeting.

Ferreira's parents said they were relieved the trial was over, but they would not tell their son about the sentence. "I don't think it's necessary because he will not understand it," Priscilla Ferreira said.

Ferreira is at home. He is not working or attending school.

"Obviously he will never be the same, but we've accepted it and we will carry on," Paul Ferreira said.

The Ferreiras hoped they could now find closure.

But Semitjie plans to appeal. His lawyer, Thomas Mahlobogoane, said he would file an application for leave to appeal this week.

Semitjie, who is in custody, will bring a bail application tomorrow to be released pending the outcome of the appeal process.