Truck driver behind Durban’s M14 pile-up appears in court, SA sympathises: “He is just a kid”

• The matter involving the multi-vehicle accident on the M41 highway near Umhlanga got underway in the Durban Magistrate's Court
• The truck driver, Sithulile Siyabonga Nhlanhlayethu Zulu, made his first court appearance on Wednesday, 8 March
• Many citizens took to social media to sympathise with the 22-year-old and believe the owners of the truck should have appeared alongside him

DURBAN - The 22-year-old truck driver who allegedly caused a multi-vehicle accident on the M41 highway near Umhlanga appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, 8 March.

Sithulile Siyabonga Nhlanhlayethu Zulu is facing charges of reckless and negligent driving and failure to comply with the duties of a driver.

The driver of the tipper truck allegedly lost control of his vehicle and collided with over 40 cars stuck in traffic. According to The Witness, the matter has been remanded to Wednesday, 15 March for bail information.

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Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said after the accident, the driver fled the scene. Ngcobo said Zulu handed himself over to the police later.

The crash left 16 people, including a pregnant woman, injured. SABC News reported that one person later died in hospital.

The Road Freight Association (RFA) and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport called for an urgent post-crash investigation into the accident.

Mzansi weighs in on multi-vehicle crash court case

Allison Hardwich Whitelaw said:

“At least he did the right thing by coming back.”

Hlanganani Makhanyela commented:

“He is just a kid, shame.”

Toni Harley posted:

“Until the trucking companies are held accountable, nothing is going to change.”

Kirsty Campbell wrote:

“That's a lot emotionally for him to carry. If he was reckless, 100%, but if the truck was not up to scratch, then his employer should be the one in court.”

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Charlotte Ponnen added:

“The owner should come to court. This guy was honest enough to give himself up.”

2 Speeding drivers nabbed on N4 toll road in Mpumalanga, Mzansi says arrests are “stupid”

Briefly News also reported that two motorists arrested for exceeding the speed limit on the N4 toll road are expected to appear at the Nelspruit police station.

The traffic intervention unit of Mpumalanga’s department of community safety, security, and liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said one driver was doing 168 km/h on a 100 km/h stretch and the other clocked 191 km/h. Both drivers were arrested on Monday, 6 March.

The first driver, a 33-year-old driving a VW Polo, was arrested and released on R1 000 bail at the Ngodwana police station.

Source: Briefly News