KZN Transport institutes investigation into taxi crash that claimed 12 lives

Officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport have instituted an investigation into the circumstances that led to a fatal minibus taxi crash that claimed the lives of 12 people, including a child. The crash occurred between Underberg and Bulwer near the southern Drakensberg.

Three people were seriously injured and taken to hospital for further treatment.

Twelve people have been killed in a crash involving a minibus taxi between Underberg and Bulwer near the southern Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal.Robert Mckensie from KZN Emergency Medical Rescue Services says three occupants were seriously injured. Pictures supplied #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/bxtd2GHtwc

— Jayed-Leigh Paulse (@JayedLeigh) October 10, 2020

Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane says preliminary investigations suggest the the driver lost control and the taxi overturned.

“We have been informed that the taxi overturned and instantly killing all 12 people on the scene and we have already instituted an investigation into the possible cause. We are looking at all possibilities, the driver’s condition, the road condition at the time, and all other factors that could have possibly resulted in this accident.”

MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in the province,  Bheki Ntuli, will on Sunday visit the families of the 12 people killed in the crash.

Ncalane has sent condolences to the families on behalf of the MEC.

“We, however, wish to send our deepest condolences to all the affected families on behalf of the MEC. We wish to assure them that the MEC will be making his way to visit the accident scene but also to meet with the affected families and discuss matters relating to assistance and further investigations with regards to this accident.”