Johannesburg – Car Dealer Gareth Webster, accused of causing the crash that killed Danielle van Jaarsveld in Sedgefield more than three years ago, has appeared in court.
However, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit stated on Friday, 24 January 2026, that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) failed to inform the victim’s family of the suspect’s court appearance.
“Danielle van Jaarsveld’s loved ones have long sought justice, which is why they approached AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, whose involvement ensured that Webster’s case was thoroughly investigated and enrolled,” said the unit in a statement made available to The Bulrushes.
“But the NPA denied them the opportunity to witness the culmination of years of fighting for justice.
Webster appeared in the George District Court on 14 January on a charge of culpable homicide.
He is accused of causing the crash that killed Van Jaarsveld on 6 November, 2022.
Webster was driving an Audi SQ5 performance SUV and collided head-on with Van Jaarsveld’s Kia sedan.
The crash took place on Swartvlei Beach Road, a few hundred metres from the Sedge Links Golf Course, where Webster was attending a golf day.
Surveillance footage shows how the force of the impact launched the Kia backwards in the direction it was coming from before rolling several times onto the side of the road.
The SQ5 belonged to Webster’s employer, Audi Centre George.
Van Jaarsveld died on the way to the hospital, while her passenger, Monique van Zyl, her sister-in-law, suffered serious injuries.
The pair was on their way to the beach.
Webster and his passenger, who was also a golf day attendee, escaped without serious injuries.
On 14 November 2025, the unit wrote to the NPA saying: “We kindly request that you provide an indication of when the accused will be summoned to court.
“We reaffirm our commitment to our clients, plan to attend court proceedings, and are considering filing an application to record the proceedings.”
Barry Bateman, the unit’s spokesperson, said that despite this request, neither the unit nor the family was informed of Webster’s pending appearance.
“Only after the unit enquired with the NPA on 20 January 2026, did the NPA’s office in George confirm that the accused had appeared in court a week earlier,” said Bateman.
“The NPA describes itself as being the lawyers for the people, yet its prosecutors consistently fail in their duty to be victim-focused.
“Danielle’s family has been pleading with the NPA to prosecute the case.
“It took the NPA more than a year to simply decide which court it should be heard in.
“And when the accused is finally summoned, the family is completely left out. It’s difficult not to conclude that this wasn’t a mere oversight.
“Nevertheless, Danielle’s family will attend court at the next appearance and AfriForum’s Private Prosecution will continue to support them.”
The case was adjourned to 10 February 2026.
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