Durban - The bakkie in which 10 people died when it crashed into truck in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend was not roadworthy, the provincial transport department said on Monday.
“It became clear to us when we saw the wreckage of the bakkie that it was not in a good condition,” said head of department Sibusiso Gumbi, who visited the scene of the crash on the R22 in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.
“We also found that the car did not have a (roadworthiness) certificate,” he said in a statement.
Nine people died on the scene of the crash at 7pm on Sunday night. Provincial emergency services spokesman Robert Mckenzie said the death toll had since risen to 10. A child was among the dead.
The inspection revealed that the road condition could have not been a factor in the accident, said Gumbi.
The KwaZulu-Natal transport department named those killed as Thembani Nsele, nine, Nkosinathi Zikhali, 40, Khethabakhe Zikhali, 36, Bhekizenzo Zikhali, 35, Bheki Ncamphalala, 36, Thulile Zikhali, 36, Amandla Manuza, 24, Sithembiso Mlambo, 26, Sithembiso Zikhali, 35, and Bhekiyise Gumede, 35.
The Zikhali family was taking a child to the local hospital when the accident happened.
A team, including Mhlabuyalingana municipality, the Road Accident Fund and the department's road safety officials, would meet the families of those killed and determine what intervention was required to help them, including assisting with funeral arrangements.
“We assured the families that government will come on board and assist during these trying times. We will also keep them updated with the outcomes of the investigation,” Gumbi said.
Sapa