‘We will enforce laws!’

As the community came out in large numbers to show respect for the 16 families who lost loved ones in a horrific taxi and train accident at Shaka’s Head last week, traffic and taxi authorities have vowed to clamp down on overloading and unroadworthy vehicles.

Among those people who died last Monday when a taxi carrying 20 people plunged onto the railway line and was hit by a train, was 25-year-old Lindelani Msebeni, returning home after his first day at work.

His father Thulani Ntuli said his heart was ‘torn apart’ after losing his son but he has accepted that his son was no more.

“I was waiting for him to come from work for the first time and it was a very difficult and sad moment when I had to go the mortuary to see him,” said Ntuli. He buried his son at the weekend in Kwanyamazane valley, Maphumulo.

Sthembiso Khambule, brother of Sphiwe Khambule who died at the hospital, said that his brother died in front of him.

“As we came to the hospital, doctors informed us that he might die because of the injuries to his head. I only had the chance to greet him and then he died,” said Khambule.

Robert Mhlongo said although it was painful to lose his brother Khulekani Dludla from Mozambique, his family has forgiven the driver of the taxi.

Dludla was the father of eight children and Mhlongo said the responsibility to raise his children will now be split among his family.

“Although we heard that the driver was traveling at high speed, I have forgiven the driver,” said Mhlongo.

Representing other families Joe Ntuli said he wished taxi drivers were assessed to determine their competency for the job, and if they are involved in accidents it should go on their record.

The families have been assisted by the Road Accident Fund and KwaDukuza municipality donated R10 000 each to ten families within their region.

Speaking at the memorial service MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu appealed to the community to report any crime that happens on the road, including traffic police who take bribes from the drivers.

“Many will recall the Mandeni licensing offices that were closed down because of fraud. With the help of the community we will catch all the criminals and make our roads safer,” said Mchunu.

The cause of the accident is being investigated by transport officials and he hoped to be able to report on it by the end of the week.

“We can say at this stage that the driver did not stop at the stop street and we suspect that he was driving at high speed,” he said.

Meanwhile South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) provincial chairperson Bhoyi Zondi appealed to commuters not to allow taxi drivers to squeeze them into the taxi, neither should they ask to be squeezed in no matter how late they may be.

“Overloading is not allowed. If that taxi only had 15 passengers it would be a different story today. It is very difficult to speak about the incident knowing exactly that you are somehow responsible,” said Zondi.

But taxi drivers appear to have taken little notice of this appeal. KwaDukuza assistant traffic director Johnny Moodley said on Friday, August 21 they caught 13 overloaded taxis and three were suspended for not being roadworthy.

“We have road blocks almost every day but still it seems that they do not get the message that overloading is illegal,” said Moodley.

Zondi said from April this year it had been agreed that taxis in each region would be checked regularly.

“If we find a taxi to not be roadworthy we ask the owner to fix his taxi. Unfortunately we do not have the power to remove the taxi from the rank without assisting him to get a new one,” said Zondi.

He said they are trying to come up with ideas on how to raise funds for the replacement of old taxis.

Zondi said they are setting up a call centre for the community to report taxis in a poor condition and any bad treatment from drivers.

“We did have one before, but people were not using it. We appeal to them that they must please report for the sake of their safety. They must not be afraid,” said Zondi.