KwaZulu-Natal – The truck driver who fled the scene of the accident that reportedly claimed the lives of 21 people on Friday on Pongolo’s N2 has been arrested.
According to eNCA, the number of deaths in the accident that took place on the N2 highway in northern KwaZulu-Natal has risen to 21. The news outlet further reports that 19 of the deceased consist of children who are between the ages of 5 to 12 years.
The death toll in the horror crash on the N2 highway in northern KwaZulu-Natal has risen to 21. 19 of the deceased are children, aged between 5 and 12 years. The accident happened near Pongola in the eMakhalathini area. #DStv403 #eNCA pic.twitter.com/DdTzZiDR7p
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 16, 2022
The truck driver gave himself over to the police on Saturday after he reportedly fled the scene of Friday’s accident, The Witness reports.
The report says that Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka commended the police and reiterated the support the families will receive.
“His arrest is important in assisting the families to deal with the devastation of losing their relatives. We commend the police who have had to activate all systems to make sure that the driver is pressured to surrender himself. We will be there to support the people of Pongolo and the families during his court appearance on Monday,” said Hlomuka.
According to News24, Hlomuka added the driver’s behaviour was unacceptable,
“It is clear that the truck driver violated all the laws in the book. This is the kind of behaviour that is causing fatal crashes and it is unacceptable. The driver must face the music and we will be monitoring developments in this case.”
He also said that the death toll is painful.
“There is no excuse for such driver behaviour. It is painful that the death toll has now increased to 21. Once again, we wish to send our deepest condolences to all affected families, other fellow learners, teachers and members of the school governing bodies.”
The driver is due to make his appearance in the Pongolo Magistrate Court on Monday.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
