Lategan pleads guilty over fatal 2015 crash

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - In an appearance at the Graaff-Reinet Regional Court on 3 December, Pieter 'Trompie' Lategan (24) of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to two charges of culpable homicide.

The state accepted his plea and found him guilty of both charges. Lategan was represented by attorney Alwyn Grebenow.

Lategan was found responsible for an accident that occurred on the N9 between Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet on 11 December 2015. The accident claimed the lives of Natasja Gouws and farm worker Frans Langbooi.

"We as a family are thankful for the outcome of the case," said Zenda Delport of Aberdeen, Natasja's sister.

One of the vehicles involved in the crash.

The Advertiser reported at the time that Lategan, from the farm Voorspoed, was on his way to Graaff-Reinet. Three farm workers, Langbooi included, were on the back of the bakkie.

Lategan was towing a trailer, carrying a tractor wheel that needed repairing.

Natasja and her husband Jody were in a Honda SUV returning to Aberdeen from a trip to Graaff-Reinet when the vehicles collided head-on about 19km from Graaff-Reinet.

Natasja and Langbooi died on the scene, and Jody was freed from the wreck by rescue workers using the Jaws of Life.

He was later airlifted to Greenacres Hospital in Port Elizabeth with multiple injuries. Lategan was taken to Midland Hospital, also with multiple injuries, while the other two farm workers, Jonathan Finnis and Malcolm Jacobs, were taken to Livingstone Hospital with leg injuries.

Natasja Gouws with her two sons, Malo and Kian. The boys were six and seven when the crash claimed Natasja's life.Photos supplied

Natasja and Jody, who had emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand in around 2004, were visiting family in Aberdeen with their two sons Malo (six at the time) and Kian (7). Thankfully, the boys stayed at home with their grandparents on the day and did not join their parents on the visit to Graaf-Reinet. Langbooi, who lived on Voorspoed, also left behind a young family.