Joggers - Ndebele wants murder charges
2011-10-23 21:51
Johannesburg - Murder charges should be brought against a motorist who crashed into six joggers, killing five of them, in Midrand on Saturday morning, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said on Sunday.
"Following allegations that the driver of the vehicle was drunk, the driver should be charged with murder," said Ndebele.
Witnesses claimed the driver was so drunk he had to be reminded that he had driven into the group of joggers, he said.
Four women and one man died in the incident. Another man was taken to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.
The runners were preparing for the Soweto Marathon when they were hit by the Mercedes-Benz ML500.
The driver was due to appear in the Midrand Magistrate's Court on Monday, according to Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane.
Ndebele reiterated that road users who disobeyed the rules of the road would face the consequences of their actions.
Fifty-seven drunk drivers were arrested in Buffalo City in the Eastern Cape, and 29 drunk drivers were arrested in the Western Cape on Friday and Saturday, he said.
Meanwhile, Gideon Sam, the president of South African Olympic sports governing body, said Sascoc was mourning the death of the five runners.
Sam urged the transport authorities to do everything in their power to address the problem.
"When our runners and cyclists end up losing their lives in this manner something must be done as this is going to discourage people of all ages from taking up sport."
"Maybe our authorities must look at even more special jogging and cycling lanes to safeguard our sportsmen and women's lives while out there training and enjoying themselves," he said.
- SAPA
