Wreckless Pongola truck driver, Sibusiso Siyaya, who handed himself over to the police yesterday appeared in court today. But he will remain in police custody until his next appearance on the 26 September. The driver handed himself after a call from the  MEC for transport and , Community Safety  Sipho Hlomuka asked the public for assistance in locating the driver on Saturday. The  police also launched a manhunt. The CCTV footage from the accident that occurred on Friday afternoon claiming 21 lives, of which 19 were school kids, surfaced after the truck driver fled from the scene.

SPEEDING EXCESSIVELY

The footage  shows the truck speeding excessively. The truck, that was said to be travelling from Piet Retief to Pongola, is then seen overtaking on a double barrier line causing it to lose control. The accident claimed the lives of 19 learners, an assistant teacher and the driver of the bakkie that was transporting the learners. A case of culpable homicide and negligence has been opened by SAPS.

CONDOLENCES

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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has sent condolences to the families of the deceased.                                                                                                                                   "The occurrence sends a chilling message to us in government to continue and redouble our efforts for safer roads and to all South Africans to adhere to all road safety laws and cooperate with law enforcement," said Mbalula. The KwaZulu-Natal education MEC Mbali Frazer also offered condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. MEC Hlomuka explained that the  driver's arrest will assist the families to find closure in this devastating time .
"We commend the police on working around the clock to ensure that the suspect surrenders. Him running away wasn't going to solve anything for him."