Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison has revealed that the driver of a bakkie involved in the crash that claimed 12 lives on the R617 on Saturday night has been arrested.
The department said that with regards to the Mpophomeni crash, “the driver of a bakkie that was allegedly driving at an excessive speed that collided with the taxi and a police car has been arrested and is facing 12 charges of culpable homicide, negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.”
This comes after MEC Peggy Nkonyeni, eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and religious leaders attended a memorial service held for the victims of the crash on Thursday.
Initially, the death toll had been 11, but another victim died in hospital on Sunday.
On Monday, the Daily News reported that several KwaZulu-Natal families are in mourning after 12 people died when a bakkie allegedly ploughed into a minibus taxi and a police vehicle on the R617 near Mpophomeni.
By Sunday the driver of the bakkie had not been charged by police.
Then, acting Transport and Community Safety and Liaison MEC Jomo Sibiya said that the man was being detained by police for blood tests and for due processes to be followed.
It is alleged that the driver fled the scene. Police phoned him after getting his contact details from his car. He then went to the Mpophomeni police station.
A witness who had been with those travelling in the taxi, Njabulo Hlongwane, said they had travelled from Umlazi W Section to Mpendle where there had been an unveiling ceremony.
Daily News