Bus driver flees after accident

The bus was travelling from Emona, Ndwedwe when it is believed its brakes failed as it turned into

the R102 at Fairbreeze. Witnesses said the bus backed into cars that were coming behind it first

hitting a Volvo sedan and finally crashing into a taxi that was coming from Newton township.

Taxi driver, Mafiki Mhlongo said he tried to avoid the crash but when he changed lanes to face

oncoming traffic the bus followed suit.

“After changing lanes failed I knew I had no choice but to jump out so I did. I do not know when

my passengers started climbing out of the taxi but Madlala also jumped from my taxi,” said Mhlongo.

Lt Mandy Governder of Tongaat SAPS said the deceased was trapped underneath the back tyres of

the bus and paramedics had a difficult task trying to free her body. Apparently she was running after

her child (12) who had jumped off the moving taxi when she was hit by the bus.

Brothers, Mlungisi and Nkanyiso Msane, who were in the bus, said they were amongst the many

who climbed through the windows because they thought the bus was going to plunge into the

nearby Wewe Dam. Mlungisi twisted his arm and Nkanyiso sustained a shoulder injury from their

jump.

“The bus had been having a problem throughout the trip and I even told my brother (Nkanyiso) we

were travelling on God’s mercy,” said Mlungisi who is a car mechanic.

The brothers claim the bus was also overloaded and had two lines of standing passengers. Mlungisi

twisted his arm and Nkanyiso received shoulder injuries. Their aunt and sister were transported to

hospital along with other injured commuters.

Witnesses said the bus driver, Siphiwe Ngcobo fled the scene of the accident. His conductor, Mfanafuthi Mkhize said Ngcobo ran because people were threatening his life. He refused to comment on whether the bus was overloaded.

School principals from Tongaat schools came to fetch the pupils who had escaped injury during the

crash. Victoria Primary School’s LB Maharaj said it was not the first time that the bus had a brake

problem.

“Last year this bus had brake failure right here on this spot. It hit the guard rails. Fortunately it did not

overturn and no one was injured,” said Maharaj.

Ngcobo was arrested on Monday evening and appeared in Verulam Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He was released on bail.