Woman Police Corporal, Yonelle Cumberbatch, was today granted bail in the sum of $500,000 after she was charged for causing the death of 15 year-old schoolboy, Navindra Mahes, by dangerous driving.
The young boy was walking across the pedestrian crossing at Success on the morning of October 30, when he was struck down by the speeding car, which was being driven by Cumberbatch.
Corporal Yonelle Cumberbatch appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court today before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs.
On hearing the particulars of the case, Magistrate Gibbs granted bail, and adjourned the case to January 6, 2026 for disclosures, granting bail to the accused in the sum of $500,000.
Outside of the Court, the grieving mother of the dead teen, Christina Arjun, and other relatives demanded justice.
“Who is going to see to me? Who is going to see to me? I lost my son! She will go home and see hers but I cannot go home and see mine. How is it fair? Tell me how is it fair”, the dead boy’s mother said.
She said the police woman ought to have been remanded to prison, noting that her son was struck down while using the pedestrian crossing.
“I was expecting her to go to jail. Let her go to jail. She doesn’t deserve to come out here. My son was on the pedestrian crossing. He wasn’t wrong,” the woman cried.
Ahead of today’s Court hearing, Cumberbatch, through her Attorneys Donulla Corry, and Eusi Anderson, acknowledged the “incalculable” loss of the Annandale Secondary School student, and offered condolences.
“We recognize that no words can adequately express the pain of their loss. We share in their grief during this time of unimaginable sorrow. We pay tribute to his young life, and the stellar example he was to his family, community and school. His loss is incalculable,” the attorneys said in a statement last night.
Corry and Anderson said their client is fully aware of the magnitude of the tragic accident, and the devastating impact it has on the dead teen’s family and wider community.
They assured that Cumberbatch is cooperating fully with the Police, and is committed to ensuring that the process is handled with transparency, seriousness, and respect for all parties involved, while being mindful of the pain caused by the tragic accident.
Cumberbatch said she stands ready to assist “in whatever manner is appropriate and support where possible” during this difficult period.
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