By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
At least 21 people have been killed, including 19 school pupils, after a truck crashed into a bakkie on the N2 near Pongola on Friday.
According to KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the accident occurred on Friday afternoon.
“The fatally injured include two adults and 19 children aged between about five and 12 years old,” KZN EMS spokesperson Robert McKenzie said.
The pupils were primary school children, being transported home from school.
The KwaZulu-Natal traffic department said that in the footage of the accident circulating, the truck is seen speeding excessively, overtaking on a double barrier line, and clearly violating all traffic regulations.
“The truck was travelling from Piet Retief to [Pongola] and police have opened a case of culpable homicide and negligent driving,” the department said.
Transport MEC Hlomuka said an investigative team had worked around the clock to arrest the truck driver.
“It is clear that the truck driver violated all the laws in the book. This is the kind of behaviour that is causing fatal crashes and it is unacceptable. The driver must face the music and we will be monitoring developments in this case.
“There is no excuse for such driver behaviour. It is painful that the death toll has now increased to 21. Once again, we wish to send our deepest condolences to all affected families, other fellow learners, teachers and members of the school governing bodies,” he said.
Acting Premier Nomagugu Simelane, Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka and Education MEC Mbali Fraser were leading government efforts to support the bereaved families and victims.
“We wish to assure the citizens and all affected families that the government is working with all stakeholders to ensure that the cause of this traumatising accident is investigated and concluded speedily.”
Simelane extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.