Taxi Driver Arrested After Fleeing KZN Crash Scene, SA Outraged As He Only Has a Learner’s Licence
- Siboniso Duma, the Member of the Executive Committee for Transport and Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed the arrest of a taxi driver
- The driver fled the scene of an accident on the P127 in Impendle, where over 20 school children were injured after a taxi plunged off a bridge
- South Africans weighed in on the arrest of the driver, but also called for the owner of the vehicle to be apprehended for hiring him
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
KWAZULU-NATAL – Outrage is brewing online following an accident in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), involving a taxi ferrying school children.
Over 20 learners were injured when a taxi plunged off the KwaKhetha Bridge on the P127 on 15 September 2025. While some learners have been treated and discharged from healthcare centres, others are still receiving care.
South Africans have called for the owner of the taxi to be apprehended as well, following the arrest of the driver. The driver initially fled the scene after the crash.
It was the third accident involving a taxi transporting learners in the past week in the Umgungundlovu district. Five children passed away on 11 September after a taxi crashed into a pre-school classroom in Imbali. The following day, another taxi crashed in the same area, but thankfully no fatalities were reported.
Driver only has a learner’s licence
In a statement on behalf of the Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, it was confirmed that the taxi driver had been arrested.
The MEC also confirmed that the man had no driver's license and no Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). He is only in possession of a learner's licence. Duma noted that as a result, he violated the National Land Transport Act by transporting learners without the PrDP.
“I have mandated our team from Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to be firm and work with traffic departments in Impendle Local Municipality and many other municipalities.
"We want to remove reckless drivers who are behind the spike of private scholar transport accidents and many other accidents that have destroyed families and cut short the lives of innocent people,” the MEC said.
Source: Twitter
Duma also called on the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in KZN to do more to prevent further accidents, stating that many unroadworthy vehicles were being used for private scholar transport.
Briefly News has reached out to SANTACO KZN for a comment regarding the driver not having a licence, and it will be added once received.
South Africans outraged by development
Social media users weighed in on the arrest of the driver, calling for the owner to be arrested as well. Many were outraged that the driver was still allowed to transport learners despite not having a licence, questioning whether any checks were done.
Ncamie Ngwan'elihle Ngwane Hlongwane said:
“The taxi owner must be arrested too.”
Ceelen Gengiah asked:
“Why don’t people check the drivers out first before letting kids travel with them? If you, as parents, are not happy with the transport, ask the owners to get it sorted out or report them. Too many kids are being hurt because transporters are just in it for the money and not the well-being of the kids.
Bhekumenzi Da Technician Mkhwanazi asked:
“And the owner?”
“Luyanda Sigwebela questioned:
“Who hired the driver?”
Amelia Buchler Kotze also asked:
“Why was he on the road transporting learners? Do your jobs and get these taxis off the roads.”
19 learners injured after taxi accident
Briefly News reported on another incident in which 19 schoolchildren were injured following a minibus taxi accident.
The learners required medical treatment after a taxi crashed into a wall in Savannah Park near Chatsworth.
South Africans expressed frustration that a minibus taxi was again involved in an accident on the country's roads.
Source: Briefly News
