A TAXI flew emoyeni during an accident with a Toyota Corolla in Diepkloof, Soweto on Tuesday, 12 March, leaving more than 10 passengers injured.
It's alleged that the taxi was coming from MTN Taxi Rank in Joburg and had stopped to drop off a passenger when the Corolla came at high speed and crashed into it.
Explaining the incident, the taxi driver, Zamokwakhe Malinga told Daily Sun he stopped the taxi so that one of the passengers could get off.
“A female passenger asked me to drop them off just after the school. I stopped the taxi to drop the passenger off and as she was about to open the door, I heard a bang and the taxi flew with me and the passengers inside and stopped some few minutes away from the accident scene. My fear was that from the way things were happening the woman had died,” he said.
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Zamokwakhe said he got out through the window.
“This is my first time encountering such an accident. Thirteen passengers were injured," he said.
Diepmeadow City Owners Taxi Association patroller Andrew Makwakwa alleged that the Corolla driver was speeding.
He said he is glad the accident happened before pupils left school because it would have been deadly.
He advised motorists to stick to the speed limit of 60km/h.
"Pupils cross on this road. Something must be done. A robot or hump must be installed for people's safety,” said Andrew.
Joburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesman Superintendent Xolani Fihla said on Tuesday, officers responded to an accident scene at the intersection of Ben Naude Drive and Mfezi Street in Diepkloof.
“The accident involved two vehicles, a white Toyota minibus taxi and a blue Toyota Corolla. According to reports, a passenger was allegedly exiting from the stationary taxi when the Corolla abruptly collided with the rear of the taxi.
"As a result of the impact, 13 passengers in the minibus taxi sustained injuries, ranging from slight to serious and the driver of the Corolla sustained serious injuries. They were promptly transported to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Lilian Ngoyi Clinic for medical attention,” he said.
Fihla said a case of reckless and negligent driving will be opened at Diepkloof cop shop for further investigation.
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