A TAXIMAN was arrested after he lost control of his vehicle and it overturned, killing five people.
The 34-year-old was transporting passengers from Imbali BB and Unit 8 to Pietermaritzburg, KZN, when the taxi overturned on the Edendale Road, killing three women and two men, on Sunday morning, 4 September.
It’s alleged that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
KZN Transport Department spokesman Kwanele Ncalane said the driver was immediately arrested.
He’s expected to face charges of culpable homicide, negligent drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol.
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KZN police spokeswoman Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said five passengers were declared dead at the scene, and 12 were taken to hospital.
“The suspect is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile in a separate accident, a 23-year-old woman lost her life when a bus transporting people to a wedding overturned on Sunday, 4 September.
The bus was travelling from KwaSkhemelele in Jozini, northern KZN to Pongola.
The accident left 26 other guests with serious injuries, and they were rushed to hospital.
Constable Ngcobo said a case of culpable homicide was opened.
KZN Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka said the accidents happened as families from Ixopo were burying loved ones who died in a bakkie accident that killed seven the previous weekend. He said the bakkie driver was also arrested.
Hlomuka called for irresponsible drivers to be punished, saying all these accidents were as a result of their behaviour.
“We call on road users to be responsible and to respect the rule of law. These fatal accidents are avoidable,” he said.
“We also wish to send our deepest condolences to all the affected families.”
