MEC Duma wants the driver of the bus that veered off a Tongaat bridge, killing three, probed for murder
Three people were killed and others were injured after a bus veered off a bridge in Tongaat.
Image: Supplied
KWAZULU-NATAL MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has demanded that investigators consider murder and not culpable homicide charges against the driver of the bus that veered off a bridge in Tongaat, and claimed the lives of three passengers in the resulting crash.
Due to the injuries he sustained, the driver was hospitalised and kept under police guard.
Duma also asked that that police investigations extend to the owners of vehicle to also establish the roadworthiness of the vehicle.
According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements vehicle's brakes failed, which caused the bus to veer out of control and off a bridge along the R102, in Tongaat, before it crashed into a riverbed, several metres below.
Several passengers were injured during the incident, they were residents from Ward 62 in Burbreeze, also in Tongaat.
In a separate incident, yesterday afternoon, twenty seven school pupils who were travelling home sustained minor injuries after the brakes of the mini bus taxi that hey travelled in apparently failed and caused it to overturn on Aloe Drive in Waterloo, near Phoenix.
MEC Duma confirmed that nine patients (seven men and two women) were admitted to a local public hospital after the Tongaat bus crash.
“The victims are receiving treatment under strict observation. They are in a critical but stable condition,” Duma said.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma visited the scene of the Tongaat bus crash where three people were killed and many injured.
Image: Supplied
He said six more patients were taken to a local private hospital.
“One patient was attended to and discharged with minor scratches. Two (male and female) were admitted to the intensive care unit—both critically ill, one is ventilated. Three others were admitted to the surgical ward with multiple fractures,” Duma said.
Regarding the driver of the bus, Duma said: “I have directed our team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate to work with SAPS and ensure that he doesn’t escape and that he faces murder charges, not culpable homicide.
“Equally, the owners of the bus company must be the subject of an investigation.
“An investigation into the roadworthiness of the bus will be conducted in conjunction with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African Police Service.”
Duma said the victims were travelling to work when the incident occurred.
He applauded the law enforcement and emergency crews, and said that the rescue and search operation, which involved removing survivors and bodies of the deceased from the wreckage, was executed efficiently.
“Once again, we express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Equally, we wish those who are injured, a speedy recovery.”
Three people have died and others were injured after a bus veered off a bridge in Tongaat.
Image: Supplied
Reaction Unit South Africa's spokesperson Prem Balram said two men and a woman were killed in the bus crash after the vehicle drove through safety barriers before plunging.
Balram said a motorist witnessed the incident.
The R102 was closed while emergency services and the necessary authorities worked at the scene.
RUSA also reported that the children in the Waterloo incident were aged between five and 12, and were from different schools. It has been alleged that the driver of the taxi attempted avoiding a vehicle in front of him which resulted in his vehicle overturning.
The injured were moved to hospital by paramedics who attended the crash-site.
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