Publications
The truck driver’s error was reported to be the major contributing factor that caused the accident on the M17 at Hornsnek Road in Pretoria a week ago.
The accident claimed 15 lives and 42 others were rushed to hospital with varying degrees of injuries for urgent medical attention.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula released the Tshwane bus accident report on Friday.
Mbalula said according to the report, the truck driver allowed his vehicle to veer off its original lane onto the oncoming lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the bus.
Mbalula added that it was also established that weather conditions, at the time of the crash, were clear and this was ruled out as a contributory factor.
He said:
He noted the report further stated that both drivers had valid EC1 driver’s licences and professional driving permits. Although one of the drivers was a foreign national, he had all the required documentation, including a valid register.
Mbalula added that the contents of the report would be brought to the attention of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for their consideration.
READ: Trucks may stand idle due to police failure
“It is unfortunate to the extreme since both of the drivers died and consequently, no one can be charged either for reckless and negligent driving or culpable homicide. In these circumstances, this matter will be the subject of an inquest and the presiding officer assigned with this case will have to make a finding after the leading evidence by eyewitnesses.”
Mbalula said that since the accident, they had visited the bereaved families and know that almost all the people who died were the breadwinners.
He added:
He also mentioned that since many of the deceased would be laid to rest on Saturday, they had decided to release the preliminary report on the investigation into the crash to assist the families to find closure.
“International standards followed in these kinds of circumstances require that we monitor those who were injured for 30 days before a final report is concluded.”
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
