Tugela Ferry: Driver in court
2003-10-22 16:38
Durban - A 45-year-old driver whose truck on Monday allegedly ploughed into pensioners and hawkers, killing 18 and injuring 13 people, appeared in the Tugela Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.
Superintendent Buhle Ngidi said Sipho Mhlongo had been charged with culpable homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The case was postponed to October 29 for a bail application.
The pensioners were queuing to collect their grants from a mobile unit when a truck tried to overtake another truck. The driver lost control and hit them.
The truck driver was transporting liquor to Tugela Ferry.
Ngidi said 17 of the deceased had been identified.
They are Dikile Ndlovu, 89, Thobile Makhunga, 50, Zandile Buthelezi, 23, Belina Ndlovu, 70, five-months-old Kwandiswa Malinga, Thembekile Mazibuko, 72, Deliwe Ndlovu, 67, Fikelephi Ndlovu, 70, Zibeni Ndlovu, 66, Maria Shabalala, 64, Nikeliwe Sithole, 30, Elizabeth Zwane, 39, Siphongwana Phungula, 55, Pinky Shozi, Mthapi Myaka, Joyce Ngubane and Ngcolane Ndlovu.
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
A memorial service for the deceased will be held on Thursday at Tugela Ferry and Transport Minister Dullah Omar will attend the service.
Omar's spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya said the minister would visit the scene of the accident and then offer his condolences to the families of the victims.
- SAPA