Cape Town – A 12-year-old boy appeared in the Brakpan Magistrates Court on charges of culpable homicide and driving without a license after allegedly killing a 14-year-old boy, Malcolm Booysen, in a car accident in Brakpan, Gauteng, on 7 June 2025.
The boy was reportedly driving his parents’ car when he ran a stop sign and struck the teenager, who died at the scene.
“It is alleged that on 7 June 2025, the minor was driving his parents’ vehicle at the corner of Madeley and Northdeene Street when he drove over a 14-year-old boy and bumped into a wall.
“The 14-year-old boy sustained injuries and was declared dead on the scene,” The Citizen quoted PA Regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana as saying.
12-Year-old reportedly behind the steering wheel of a vehicle that killed a 14-year-old pedestrian in Brakpanhttps://t.co/LgaNoLWRKA#ArriveAlive #PedestrianSafety @City_Ekurhuleni pic.twitter.com/N681ilEIeU
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) June 8, 2025
The 12-year-old boy was arrested and later released into his parents’ custody.
The court has postponed the case to 28 August 2025 to assess the child’s criminal capacity, as South African law presumes children aged 12 to 14 lack such capacity unless the state proves otherwise.
Brakpan grieves 14-Year-Old Malcolm Booysen, killed by 12-year-old driver
In the quiet streets of Brakpan, a poignant white cross has emerged as a focal point of grief and remembrance following the tragic death of 14-year-old Malcolm Booysen.
Adorned with flowers, handwritten… pic.twitter.com/kicbUGHSDr
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 9, 2025
According to IOL, crime researcher Thabang Bogopa emphasised that the case will trigger a thorough investigation under the Child Justice Act, which handles children aged 12–17 who commit offences, focusing on restorative justice, rehabilitation, and avoiding criminal records where appropriate.
The court will receive recommendations from social workers on whether the boy should be prosecuted or diverted into a welfare programme. The matter has been postponed to 28 August 2025 to assess his criminal capacity.
Bogopa also highlighted that whoever gave the child access to the car may face charges under the National Road Traffic Act for allowing an unlicensed person to drive. He stressed the importance of parental responsibility in preventing underage driving, warning that civil claims may arise from infrastructure damage caused by the accident.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
