Pretoria taxi driver Percyval Matji was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Pretoria Regional Court on Thursday for killing a schoolgirl on a scooter.

Passing sentence, Magistrate Edmund Patterson said Matji's actions on the day of the accident were "terrible".

"Your actions were terrible and cannot be justified or condoned."

Matji killed Bernadine Kruger in February this year, while she was riding a scooter to school in Garsfontein. He knocked her off the scooter and the front wheel of the minibus drove over her, killing her instantly.

Matji was found guilty of Kruger's murder a week ago.

Patterson said Matji showed no remorse during the trial. Only his mother Seli Rejoyce Mahlangu said he was remorseful when she was called to testify in mitigation of sentence.

Mahlangu told the court Matji was a well-behaved child who was ready to help the community in his home town of Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga.

Patterson said the sentence was not to punish him but to serve as a deterrent to those who drove recklessly and put the lives of law-abiding citizens in danger.

Matji was declared unfit to possess a gun and his driver's licence and driving permit were revoked. Standing in the dock, he folded his hands and showed no emotions as his sentence was delivered. Before being led to the holding cells he handed his wrist watch and cellphone to family members. His mother cried uncontrollably outside courtroom.

AfriForum's head of community safety Nantes Kelder said they were satisfied with the sentence.

"The conviction and the sentence brings back the trust in the justice system... we now call the government to consider compensating the taxi industry to reduce the load on the driver. They have to make money for the owners and themselves, that is why taxis are always in a hurry."

The Freedom Front Plus said it was pleased about the sentence.

"It is a clear message to all drivers and, more specifically taxi drivers, to not only think of themselves but also about all other road users," said FF+ MP advocate Anton Alberts.

Matji had initially been charged with manslaughter on the basis of reckless or negligent driving, but after the FF+ made submissions to the National Prosecuting Authority, the charge was changed to murder.

Elsabe Homan, Bernadine Kruger's mother, who constantly wiped tears from her eyes during Thursday's proceedings, said she was happy about the sentence.