13 dead: Taxi man in court
2003-07-01 14:47
Durban - Taxi driver Mthokozisi Khawula, 22, appeared briefly in Umzinto magistrate's court on Tuesday in connection with the death of 13 people in a crash at Sezela on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in May.
His case was postponed to next Thursday for a bail application.
The case will be transferred afterwards to Scottburgh regional court for trial, said a court official.
Khawula has previously declined bail and chose to remain in custody.
Bail was set on Tuesday at R10 000, but the driver's counsel argued he could not afford the amount.
The magistrate, defence attorney and prosecutor agreed to postpone the matter to next Thursday for a formal bail application.
Khuwala allegedly tried to overtake a bakkie on the road near Sezela and crashed head-on into another minibus taxi.
Thirteen passengers in Khawula's taxi, most of them schoolchildren, were burnt beyond recognition when the two taxis burst into flames.
Khawula was traced to a nearby hospital and arrested on charges of culpable homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.
- SAPA