Johannis Jan van de Velde (JJ) – Culpable Homicide

Johannis Jan van de Velde (JJ), (47), a prominent Nottingham Road maize and potato farmer was killed at around 17:30 on Friday evening, the 19th of October 2018 when an alleged drunk driver crashed head-on into his vehicle in Howick. JJ was entrapped and in a critical condition when he was found, and sadly passed away in hospital later that night. JJ, his wife Samantha, and their three children were due to start a new life in Australia in less than three weeks. All five of their farms had been auctioned earlier that year and the family’s containers were already being shipped to Australia, where they had bought a farm.

We were devastated to hear of the death of this Nottingham Road farmer who was well known in the community as a dedicated and charitable man, and an inspiration to the whole community.

Samantha, his wife, had spoken to her husband shortly before the accident on Friday and was waiting for him to return home at around 5.30 p.m. She then asked her eldest son to go and see if his car had broken down somewhere. When his son was driving down Main Road, he came across the accident.

Van de Velde originally came from Holland in 1993 and settled in the Midlands, purchasing the farm “Zuivergoud” outside Nottingham Road in 2000.

Some of JJ’s most notable achievements include:

• Van de Velde was selected as the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) Young Farmer of the Year for 2005 and was renowned as an expert in maize and potato farming.
  
• He also served on the board of directors of the Potato Certification Service since 2013. Sanette Thiart, chief executive officer of the Potato Certification Service described him as an “outstanding farmer”. “He was such an example for every one of us. It is a huge tragedy for us to lose such a hardworking farmer,” she added.

• Sandy la Marque, Kwanalu chief executive officer, said: “He also showed an exceptional display of generosity when he donated 800 bales of hay to aid of his fellow farmers suffering from the crippling drought in the Hluhluwe area during 2016.”

A tragic case of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving and alleged driving under the influence of alcohol is currently being investigated.  

“This is a textbook case that we are warned about all the time by authorities, parents and friends that deeply care about us. We are also very mindful of the suspect in this matter, his family and all those around him. We are doing all we can to assist in dealing with the anger, forgiveness and justice of this situation as three separate but all deeply connected and co-dependent elements to find a way forward for all involved.” – Brian Jones

Memorial Gallery

Johannis van de Velde

2018

19 October `18, Fri - 17:30

Incident – Culpable homicide – JJ van de Velde

4 Years, 11 Months, 8 Days, 10 Hours, 28 Minutes
From Incident

A prominent Nottingham Road maize and potato farmer named Johannis Jan van de Velde (47), fondly known as JJ, was killed in a car crash by an alleged drunk driver in Howick. 

2020

19 February `20, Wed - 16:37

SVS Activated

3 Years, 7 Months, 8 Days, 11 Hours, 21 Minutes
From incident till SVS Activated

Specialised Victim Support (SVS) was activated by the VCAT (Violent Crimes and Technology) Team on request of the family, for support in this matter where a tragic case of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving and alleged driving under the influence of alcohol is under investigation against the driver that collided head-on with JJ.

2021

15 March `21, Mon - 07:00

Victim Impact Statement Tool implemented

A purpose designed and improved process for Victim Impact Statements, Analytics, and a “Statement Creation Tool” has been developed and implemented to help victims make their statements for court, and the public in order to match their journey and their SVS Timeline.

 

The creation tool has an ongoing learning process to identify trends, understand the impacts in microscopic and micromanagement detail, and to continue to improve the Statement Creation Tool – Question Bank relative to case type and nature of events, coupled with the cases management directives that needs to be completed and that now can be forecast per case for operations, victims and families.

 

Read the ‘birth of SVS Victim Impact Statements’ article here

06 July `21, Tue - 09:00

Victim Impact Statement created by Sam van de Velde

1 Year, 4 Months, 16 Days, 16 Hours, 23 Minutes
From SVS activation till impact statement creation

 

Samantha is the first victim to use SVS Victim Impact Statement – Creation tool, and her statement is now complete.

 

Sam’s impacts have been uncovered in detail, and include the gravity and implications of the loss, and her before and after journey. Her story is inspirational on another level, then instantly thrust into an avalanche of sudden loss, single parenting, her story of the impacts of shattered lives brings the world to silence and is soul wrenching.

 

Two additional Victim Impact Statements written by Grace van de Velde from the deep pains of the heart, soul and loss, that firstly started with a poem for her class at school and was followed by an Essay, are insights to the impacts in impared driving and culpable homicide like no other.

 

Grace was recognised and given a national award for her writings and the sharing of her Victim Impacts which helped to highlight to the Australian Government the ongoing case in South Africa which they are now following.

 

Click here to read Sam and Grace’s Victim Impact Statements

 

08 July `21, Thu - 09:00

Letter sent to Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Provincial Commissioner

2 Years, 8 Months, 18 Days, 15 Hours, 30 Minutes
From incident till letter sent to provincial commissioner

 

Though all tasks were completed by the Investigating Officer, Sgt. BSD Ndlovu and indirectly station management who ticked all the boxes and requests from the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa. It is our understanding that the NPA seems unable to reach a decision to enrol and proceed.

 

The docket has been with the NPA for months and months which now reflects on the SAPS not only locally but internationally as well. We have asked Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, Provincial Commissioner, along with his District Commander team to support JJ and the Howick Investigating Officer.

 

Read the full press release here

 

04 October `21, Mon - 09:00

Plea for help to the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.

2 Months, 26 Days, 0 Hours, 0 Minutes
From letter sent to provincial commissioner till public plea for help

 

JJ believed in justice so much that he taught this to his children and held this value in the highest order. He demonstrated by his words and action in every second of his life, kindness, compassion, and investment in every person around him. Yet all of this feels empty when we as friends, family, a nation, NPA and police cannot speak for JJ.

 

Take time to read and see the visual impacts of the international case here. Samantha, JP, Emma and Grace are waiting hour by hour to fly at a moment’s notice to attend trial and justice.

 

To the NPA, the Ministry to the Provincial Commissioner, with head, eyes, heart and soul lowered in respect, help this family and our nation?

 

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