The Sunday News
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Correspondent
ALTHOUGH they might have heaved a collective sigh of relief after Preshalin Naidoo, the man judged responsible for the death of Top Billing presenter Simba Mhere, was slapped with a 10-year jail term, the sentence seems bittersweet for the Mhere family who are still reeling from the loss of one of TV’s brightest talents.
Last week saw the conclusion of one of the longest running legal sagas in showbiz, with Naidoo finally getting punished for his reckless actions on the night of 31 January in 2015, a fateful night that claimed the lives of Mhere and companion Kady-Shay Obrien on William Nicol Drive in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Since that fateful night, the trial has been plagued by twists, turns and delays much to the frustration of Mhere’s loved ones who have been clamouring for closure.
With Naidoo getting a hefty sentence last week, it seems unlikely that the punitive measures taken against the reckless driver will make the Mhere family feel any better for their loss, with his father, Joseph saying that Naidoo’s incarceration was inadequate consolation for losing a son that he will not see again in this lifetime. Saddened, he now pins his hopes of seeing him in the afterlife.
“I’ll have to die to see him again,” Joseph said.
Joseph, who was in the car with Mhere on that fateful night, has been left to wonder why he was not the one taken.
“I often ask myself why God didn’t take me instead of him,” he said.
For Mhere’s sister Valerie, the death of her brother was a double tragedy as he was the one that was bankrolling her expensive athletics training.
Since his untimely departure, she has had to resort to canvassing for funds on social media.
“He cancelled work to see me compete. Every pair of running shoes were paid for by my brother. He provided for me.
“I don’t know how to express the loss I feel. My heart is broken. It hurts to watch videos to hear him laugh again,” she said
As much as the present is painful, contemplating a future without the charismatic presenter has been even more painful for the young Valerie.
“He’ll never be at another race of mine or be at my wedding. I am an only child now,” she said.
In the past, Mhere’s family had illustrated how Naidoo had seemed reluctant to express remorse for his role in the accident that claimed two lives.
According to a report compiled by a social worker, “Naidoo still denies that he was negligent when the accident that claimed the lives of two people occurred.”
This was again raised by the mother of Kady-Shay Obrien who, like the Mhere family, bemoaned the fact that her family faced a less pleasant future because of the demise of her daughter.
“Her brother will never again see his sister and enjoy their close bond. My late daughter will never again be an aunt because of you.
“My life is shattered and a part of my soul is dead. You have refused to take responsibility for what you have done, you may be a man with age but not a true man. You’re a coward.”
Before sentencing, Naidoo’s lawyers had argued against stiff punishment, saying that he did not pose a threat to anyone and thus did not deserve a severe sentence.
“One thing is clear and that is that Mr Naidoo poses no threat or danger to the members of the public. Why remove someone who is economically impactful from society?”
As they continue picking up the pieces, it remains to be seen whether the Naidoo’s sentence will finally close a tragic chapter of their lives.
