Johannesburg - The bus crash that claimed the lives of 20 people in Meyerton in July last year was the Putco Bus Company’s fault, the Gauteng government has found.
This is according to a written reply dated March 11 by MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi to questions by the DA’s Mike Moriarty.
More than 50 people were seriously injured in the crash.
Moriarty had asked Vadi whether the families of those who died received compensation from any source. He also wanted to know whether those injured were compensated.
In his reply, Vadi said: “the victims of those who died only received compensation for burial assistance. They have not yet received compensation from the road accident claim and from the passenger liability cover.
“The Road Accident Fund provided compensation of R18 000 per family to cover funeral costs. Putco provided compensation of R10 000 and two buses per family for burial assistance.
“The Road Accident Fund is still to finalise the claim. Passenger liability cover has not paid the claim as yet.”
The injured had not yet received any compensation, said Vadi, adding that they were still awaiting the finalisation of claims from the Road Accident Fund and passenger liability cover.
Asked what the result of the inquiry into the cause of the accident was, Vadi replied: “The inquiry revealed that the bus was unroadworthy as it failed the roadworthy test in the Meyerton Testing Centre two days prior to the accident.
“Putco denies that the bus was unroadworthy and that the driver was negligent as he was distracted by the passengers. It has taken responsibility to the victims’ families only in so far as the funeral arrangements are concerned.”
On Wednesday, Putco said it was not aware of the outcome of the inquiry as a case of culpability was never concluded against it.
“We provided the government with an independent forensic accident report and we never got any response from them,” spokesman Romeo More said.
“The Road Traffic Management Corporation also said the matter will be before court, but it never happened.
“It is a surprise that we were found guilty without being informed,” More said.
A relative of one of the victims, Clement Baba, whose elder sister Mantombi Lizzy Baba died in the crash, confirmed that Putco gave them R10 000 towards the burial. Other victims also confirmed this.
The Star first reported in July that bus number 7167, with registration number PVM843GP, had failed a roadworthiness test at the Midvaal testing station on June 12 last year. This was after its brakes were found to have been defective.
It was recommended for retesting on June 21, along with 25 other Putco buses. This was, however, not done.
Instead, the bus was passed as roadworthy at Putco’s in-house testing station on June 14. A day later, it was registered on the eNatis system by an official at the Putco testing station.
On June 25, it crashed against railings, veered off the road and plummeted into a ravine at the intersection of the R59 and R556 roads in Meyerton.
Initially 19 people died and 55 were seriously injured. A 20th victim died a few days later in hospital.
The Star
* This is a response from Putco to the above story as sent to IOL on April 9, 2013.
Putco notes with deep regret the article published in the Star Newspaper of 4 April 2013 titled "Putco blamed for crash that killed 20" by journalist Baldwin Ndaba, quoting the MEC for Roads and Transport of the Gauteng Province Mr Ismail Vadi.
According to the article, the Gauteng Government has "found" that Putco was at fault in causing the tragic accident. Putco has at all times offered to co-operate with the relevant authorities in investigating the cause of this accident. This position was made clear immediately after the accident.
Notwithstanding the aforegoing, Putco has not been afforded the opportunity to participate in any formal inquiry relating to this accident.
Putco wishes to place on record that any "findings" by the Gauteng Government were made without affording Putco the opportunity to participate in such investigation, to respond to any questions or charges or to present information to the investigators representing the Gauteng Government.
Immediately after the accident, Putco instructed independent forensic investigators to investigate the cause of the accident on behalf of Putco. A report was obtained which was handed to the Road Traffic Management Corporation and also to the office of the MEC of Transport. Subsequent to providing the aforesaid authorities with a copy of the report, Putco received no further communication from the relevant authorities and was unaware that an inquiry was held which came to a formal conclusion.
It is therefore regrettable to note that the MEC for Roads and Transport / Gauteng Government was willing to publicly conclude that Putco was to blame for the collision. Putco again tenders to openly and fully co-operate with any formal inquiry to establish the cause of the accident.
Putco will again also make available to the relevant authorities a copy of the forensic investigators report. In addition, Putco has obtained an independent technical report relating to the condition of the bus in question which also exonerates Putco from any fault. Putco will welcome an opportunity to be afforded its constitutional rights to have a fair and transparent investigation into the accident.