Metro police officer granted R4 000 bail after 21-year-old’s death

For days, the Firfirey family searched for 21-year-old Imtiyaaz Firfirey, who never returned home on 18 April. There were calls, messages, and social media posts asking if anyone had seen him.

Cape Argus reports of a hit-and-run on Jan Smuts Drive and clothing that matched what he had been wearing.

A family member later confirmed what no parent should ever have to confirm – the body at the mortuary was Imtiyaaz.

This week, the legal process began to unfold at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, where the driver accused in the crash, 25-year-old metro police officer Naeema Daniels, was granted bail of R4 000.

Charges that hinge on what did and didn’t happen

Daniels faces multiple charges linked to what authorities allege happened after the collision: failing to stop, failing to determine the nature of injuries or damage, failing to render assistance, and failing to report the accident.

Seated beside her in the vehicle at the time was her mother, Nadia Daniels, who now faces a charge of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. She was released on a warning.

The case has been postponed to 24 July.

In the meantime, the City of Cape Town confirmed that the officer will be served with a suspension notice following her court appearance.

A community that was searching before it was mourning

Before this became a court matter, it was a community search.

On 19 April, human rights activist Faizal Sayed circulated a missing person notice for Imtiyaaz. He recalls being in constant contact with the young man’s mother, Shabnam, as they tried to trace him.

By the time the truth surfaced, Imtiyaaz had already been taken to the mortuary.

Sayed later visited the family home when the body was returned for burial.

‘There is something on the face of parents that one cannot describe when they stand there having to bury their child,’ he said. ‘Let alone the circumstances where someone knocks your child and leaves them to the gutters.’

His words have echoed widely on local social media pages, where Capetonians have expressed anger, heartbreak, and disbelief — particularly because the accused is a law enforcement officer.

‘He was coming from mosque’

Friends and community members have also shared memories of Imtiyaaz online. One post described him as ‘a sweet good boy, always smiling even though he carried so much.’

Another detail that struck many was that he had reportedly been on his way home from mosque when the incident occurred.

For residents in Athlone and surrounding areas, Jan Smuts Drive is a busy, familiar route. It is also a road that has seen its share of serious accidents over the years, with long-standing concerns about speeding, poor visibility at night, and pedestrian safety.