Ten killed in KZN taxi crash as investigators probe what went wrong

Ten people have died in a devastating minibus taxi crash in KwaZulu-Natal, with investigators now working to establish exactly what happened before the vehicle left the road and slammed into a tree.

The crash happened on Wednesday between Georgedale in Hammarsdale and Cato Ridge.

Five other people survived the collision and were taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The deaths come during Transport Month, a period when road and public transport safety are placed firmly in the spotlight.

For the families involved, however, the focus is no longer on statistics or safety campaigns. Ten people who had been travelling to work will not be returning home.

Investigators sent to the crash scene

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has sent investigators to the scene to determine what caused the taxi to leave the road.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane expressed his condolences following the crash and said the tragedy was particularly painful during a month dedicated to highlighting improvements in public transport safety.

He also urged motorists and public transport operators to take road rules seriously and exercise caution.

The exact circumstances surrounding the crash have not yet been confirmed.

Police and transport officials investigating

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is investigating several possible scenarios.

Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said investigators were also considering allegations made by witnesses.

One of those allegations is that the taxi driver may have consumed alcohol before the crash. Duma stressed that the allegation still needs to be investigated.

Another account being examined is that the driver may have attempted to avoid pedestrians before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the tree.

Authorities have not confirmed either allegation as the cause of the collision.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate, Durban Metro Police, South African Police Service and RTMC are working together as part of the investigation.

Ten families left to deal with the aftermath

The scale of the crash has left families facing an especially painful recovery.

Duma said some of the victims were believed to have been breadwinners and were travelling to work when the crash occurred.

The MEC also expressed concern about the trauma experienced by relatives who witnessed the aftermath, including the removal of the victims from the wreckage by two mortuary vehicles.

Officials from the Department of Transport are expected to assist the families at the state mortuary in Pietermaritzburg.

The department will also help with funeral arrangements and other practical matters facing the families.

Duma said each family would require a different response depending on their circumstances.

Experts warn against rushing to conclusions

With five survivors, investigators are expected to have potentially important eyewitness accounts to work with as they reconstruct the moments leading up to the collision.

Road safety expert Johan Jonck of Arrive Alive said it was too early to speculate about the cause.

The surviving passengers could provide investigators with valuable information about what happened inside the taxi before it left the road.

The investigation will ultimately need to establish what factors contributed to the crash, rather than relying on early allegations or assumptions.

Transport Month under a sombre spotlight

The crash has added a sombre dimension to Transport Month, when road safety and public transport are traditionally given increased attention across South Africa.

While campaigns often focus on driver behaviour, enforcement and compliance, major crashes involving public transport also raise broader questions about the safety of passengers who rely on taxis every day.

For the families of the ten people who died in this crash, those questions are now deeply personal.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision before drawing conclusions about what caused it.

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Source: iol.co.za