“The taxi was not roadworthy”

The taxi that careered down the embankment at Shaka’s Head colliding with a train and killing 16 people, has been declared unroadworthy, despite having recently received a roadworthy certificate from a private centre in Gauteng.

This was revealed when transport, community safety and liaison MEC Willies Mchunu tabled his report on the August 17 accident at the KZN Legislature on Thursday, September 3.

The transport department hired a private forensic accident investigator who revealed that the vehicle had serious mechanical defects.

“The investigator concluded that the braking system was in an unroadworthy and dangerous condition,” said Mchunu.

Other faults included:

• The gearbox had been changed and was not the standard Toyota Hi Ace gearbox.

• Several new steering racks, pinions and shock absorbers had been fitted.

• The speedometer could not be connected.

• The engine had been removed and refitted.

• The left-side engine mounting was perished.

• The rear gearbox was perished.

• The rear brake drum diameter was above the normal size.

• The right front brakes were worn to excess, which would result in unstable braking in the front axle.

• The rear axle U-bolts were loose, which would result in an unstable vehicle.

Mchunu was greatly disturbed by the fact that the taxi had been tested in Gauteng and had been issued with a roadworthy certificate.

“It is concerning that a vehicle from KwaDukuza would go as far as Gauteng to get a roadworthy certificate. We are investigating this,” said Mchunu.

Since it was not the first accident at the railway, Mchunu said he had assigned a team of engineers to inspect the road and make recommendations on improving safety measures.

The engineers report said the driver did not stop at the stop sign. They concluded that he was either speeding or the taxi had experience brake failure.

“The engineers made it clear that the condition of the road did not contribute to the cause of the accident,” said Mchunu.

He said engineers then recommended that a section of P339 that is over the bridge deck should be resurfaced, the speed limit should be set to 60km per hour, and that a sign advertising the speed limit should be erected.

The concrete barrier on the northern side of the bridge is shorter by two metres than the opposite side and could be extended towards the ramp to cover the impact point of the accident.