Johannesburg - The driver of the truck which allegedly caused a multi-vehicle pile-up and killed four people on the N12 East near Alberton in Gauteng was not arrested, police said on Wednesday.
Captain Doniah Mothutsane said the driver was taken to a police station after the crash on Tuesday but this was simply to take his statement.
“He has not been arrested. He is not in police custody. The police took a statement from him,” said Mothutsane.
She said police were still conducting their investigations and collecting statements from witnesses.
The driver allegedly claimed his brakes had failed, causing him to plough into cars in the early morning traffic.
On Tuesday, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters conveyed news of the man's arrest.
“The driver has been arrested and the preliminary report indicates that the accident was caused by brake failure of the truck,” Peters said in a statement.
Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Wednesday echoed the sentiments of Peters, who called for the truck's owners to also be brought to book if the vehicle's brakes were found to have been faulty.
“In my personal opinion, there should be dual accountability,” Vadi said.
This was perhaps one of the worst accidents the province had seen, he said.
Sapa