Isipingo horror crash: Families mourn while two victims remain unidentified

TWO of the 11 people who were killed in the horrific crash near Isipingo on Thursday morning are yet to be identified by their loved ones.

The accident occurred on Wanda Cele Road when a truck with worn-out tyres crashed into an overloaded taxi enroute to Illovo on the south coast.

KwaZulu-Natal transport department officials have met with three of the families who have identified their loved ones at Park Rynie Mortuary.

The Mtheshana family from Harding and the Khwela family from Mfume have lost their sisters. While the Mangqasana family, who flew from Johannesburg and are originally from the Eastern Cape, lost their sister who was a nurse at Isipingo Hospital.

Siboniso Duma, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, said officials will meet the other families who have already identified their loved ones.

"Two victims are not as yet identified by their loved ones. The department is liaising with the investigating officer who has assisted in identifying the other eight families.

"Details about a memorial service or mass funeral will be announced once all families have been met," said Duma.

According to the MEC, the truck had worn-out tyres.

He said owners of the truck must face consequences for focusing on maximising profit and not ensuring the roadworthiness of the truck.

The Professional Driving Permit for the taxi driver expired in 2023 and the taxi was overloaded with between 17 to 18 passengers.

After visiting the crash site on Thursday Duma said the truck and taxi drivers, including the owners, must face murder charges.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, police spokesperson, said Isipingo police have opened a case of culpable homicide following the accident.

"The injured passengers, including the driver, were taken to hospital for medical attention. No arrests have been made as yet," said Netshiunda.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other relevant authorities, had dispatched investigators to the scene to establish the circumstances that led to the collision.

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane on Friday visited the six survivors of the horror crash at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital.

One survivor has been discharged, while the others remain in a critical but stable condition.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) KwaZulu-Natal is awaiting a comprehensive report from law enforcement authorities to establish the exact cause of the accident.

Sifiso Shangase, SANTACO KZN office manager, reiterated the organisation’s continued call for road safety.

"Drivers are encouraged to always adhere to the rules of the road. With the current rainy weather conditions, it is critical that drivers exercise extra caution to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. As an organisation we discourage overloading. We also remind passengers that they have the right not to board an overloaded vehicle,” said Shangase.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE