A case of negligent and reckless driving has been opened after one of the paroled "Waterkloof four" was allegedly involved in an accident in Pretoria which left a woman seriously injured, authorities said on Friday.
Gauteng correctional services commissioner Zacharia Modise confirmed that Reinach Tiedt was involved in the accident while the department's spokesman Manelisi Wolela could not say yet whether he had violated his parole conditions.
The accident took place on Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Rubenstein and Peddie streets in Pretoria, Warrant Officer Dave Miller said.
In February, Christoff Becker, Frikkie du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk and Tiedt, were released after being jailed for beating a homeless man to death in Pretoria in 2001.
On February 16, Becker and Du Preez were re-arrested after a cellphone video surfaced of them drinking what appeared to be alcohol and using a cellphone in their cell at the Pretoria prison.
Van Schalkwyk and Tiedt were out on parole.
Beeld quoted a witness saying Tiedt allegedly lost control of his car and crashed into another car carrying the woman and her two sons.
All three were taken to hospital. The woman was in a critical condition while the two boys sustained minor injuries, the paper said.
Beeld published a picture reportedly taken by a witness on the scene showing cans of alcohol that had fallen out of Tiedt's car.
It said some of the cans were open and others were sealed.
Miller told Sapa the woman was seriously injured in the accident and that she and her passengers were taken to a hospital.
He said nothing in the docket stated that Tiedt was drunk during the accident and urged people not to make assumptions.
Tiedt was not arrested.
Wolela said the department was made aware of the accident on Thursday night.
"As per our policy on management of parolees, community corrections officials will investigate the reports including sourcing information from the SA Police Service and hospitals and provide a report to the department."
Depending on the findings, the report may be submitted to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board for consideration and a decision.
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