Sentencing Day: Pongola Tragedy Culprit Faces Justice for 20 Lives Lost

• The sentencing of a truck driver who crashed into a bakkie carrying 18 children and two adults will be held at the Pongola Magistrates Court
• Sibusiso Siyaya was found guilty of 20 counts of murder, reckless and negligent driving, as well as fleeing the accident scene
• Footage of the 2022 accident showed the truck overtaking another truck on a double barrier line before ramming into a bakkie

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

The sentencing of a truck driver who crashed into a bakkie full of schoolchildren will be held at the Pongola Magistrates Court in KwaZulu-Natal on 15 May 2024.

Truck driver found guilty of murder

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According to ZiMOJA, Sibusiso Siyaya was found guilty of 20 counts of murder, reckless and negligent driving, as well as fleeing the accident scene.

Dashcam footage, which captured the 2022 accident, showed Siyaya's truck overtaking another truck on a double barrier line before ramming into a bakkie occupied by 18 children and two adults. According to Algoa FM, the learners were between the ages of five and 12.

A Road Traffic Management Corporation report found that Siyaya overtook several vehicles on stretches of road where it is prohibited and drove into oncoming traffic for 1.2 km.

@sbuddha777 asked:

“Was his truck found healthy and sound roadworthy? All was his fault? I smell scapegoating.”

@uMaster_Sandz pointed out:

“This case took too long ”

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@msholozi_zuma added:

“This happened 2 years ago; it was a painful tragedy to witness.”

@Sobhuza87 wondered:

“Again, his company is also guilty. Why would they award drivers for making more loads because that incentive program is the one that causes accidents.”

@Oz_MaSiya said:

“21 Lives gone, just like that. Some people don't value life.”

Eight die in Limpopo crash between truck and bus

Briefly News reported that a bus and a truck collided in Limpopo on 18 April 2024, resulting in the deaths of eight people.

The bus driver, who reportedly lost control and crashed into the truck, was transporting workers of a local company home.

The Limpopo Transport Department's spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, spoke to Briefly News about the accident.

Source: Briefly News