Prayers, family party and off before dawn
● Gavin Watson’s final hours have been drawn into sharp focus by investigators probing the high-speed crash that claimed his life.
Watson, 71, died when his companyowned Toyota Corolla smashed into a concrete pillar near OR Tambo International Airport at 5am on Monday morning.
With his seatbelt clipped into place behind him and travelling as fast as 140km/h without braking, the elderly businessman was thrown forward into the dashboard, twisted metal cleaving a deep gash in his neck.
The purpose of his trip to the airport remains shrouded in mystery, but investigators searching for what caused the horror crash are turning back the clock and delving into the hours preceding his death.
The Sunday Times, through sources both in and outside law enforcement, has obtained information gleaned from CCTV street cameras around Johannesburg, giving critical insight into Watson’s movements.
On Sunday afternoon, the businessman attended a prayer meeting with key African Global Operations (AGO, formerly Bosasa) figures at the company’s “smart campus” in Krugersdorp on the West Rand.
His nephew Jared Watson said weekend prayer groups were not uncommon and on Sunday, AGO executives prayed for Watson’s strength and deliverance as he prepared to testify at the South African Revenue Service inquiry.
“It was part of a meeting, which was attended by a few close colleagues who loved prayer, which was called ahead of Gavin’s appearance before the inquiry on Tuesday.
“They were praying that the inquiry [would] go well for all the participants,” said Jared.
Shortly after 5pm, with the prayer group concluded, Watson’s white Toyota Corolla was spotted heading east in Witpoortjie, Roodepoort.
At 5.41pm the car was seen in Bryanston as Watson travelled through the city’s northern suburbs, on his way to meet Jared to celebrate a baby shower.
Two and a half hours later, at 8.16pm, the car is sighted by the same camera as he drives west towards his Gemsbok Avenue, Constantia Kloof, townhouse.
Minutes after 4am, in the morning gloom, the car is seen on camera near his home as he travels in the direction of the airport.
The last time Watson accessed his WhatsApp messenger service on his phone was at 4.27am, likely moments before the crash.
The Sunday Times has established that paramedics rushed to the accident scene at 5.04am.
Cameras fitted to e-toll gantries on Johannesburg’s freeway network are expected to provide key insights into Watson’s route and speed in the minutes before his car hit the bridge pillar.
The South African National Roads Agency, custodians of the footage, said the crash was already under investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
Vehicle accident investigator Konrad Lotter, who has been hired by the Watson family, said he inspected the vehicle on Friday.
He said the car had been disassembled by police investigators, “so they could understand what had potentially happened”.
“There is not much more information which I can get from it. The police are doing a good job and have a fantastic team working on the case,” he said.