DRIVER CHARGED WITH KILLING 13

MANZINI – The death toll of the people who died on Friday near the Matsapha traffic circle flyover bridge, along the MR3 public road, has so far been placed at 13.

This include 11 maidens and two male tindvuna (regiment leaders). This figure has been confirmed by court records, which detailed the charges against the truck driver, who has been charged with culpable homicide.
He allegedly caused the accident, killing the maidens attending the annual Umhlanga (Reed Dance).
The girls were from cutting reed at Mphisi Farm, on the way to Luve.

They had been part of the ceremony since last Tuesday, when they responded to a call from His Majesty the King to attend the age-old annual and colourful event.
Fraser Sigwili Ndzimandze (46) of Lwandle, a government driver employed by the Ministry of Natural Resources, was arrested immediately after the horrific accident and taken to Matsapha Police Station (Sigodvweni) where he was detained, pending his appearance in court. The courtroom was packed by the suspect’s relatives who had come to support him after he had spent a night in custody.

During his appearance in court before Magistrate Mthokozisi Dlamini, the suspect was informed of his rights to hire an attorney or conduct his own defence. Ndzimandze informed the court that he reprsent for himself during trial. The crown opposed his bail application until the admitted victims were fully recovered at the three different hospitals, where they are currently being treated.

“This is an unfortunate case and there are many casualties. Most victims are still admitted in different hospitals; therefore bail will be opposed and the suspect will be remanded back in custody until we get a directive from the DPP’s office,” the public prosecutor said. After he was informed that he would not be admitted to bail, Ndzimandze, who was in a sombre mood, went to close to 20 of his relatives and had a private conversation with them for about 15 minutes.
He was later driven away in a police van by Constable Lomalangeni Dlamini of Matsapha Police Station.
Five of the bodies have been identified, while eight remain unidentified. \

The charge sheet states that on August 28, 2015, near Mahhala, the accused person, being a driver of a vehicle registered GSD 187 NR, an Isuzu truck, wrongfully and unlawfully drove negligently and knocked from behind a MAN truck registered S572, driven by Sandile Sicelo Nyamane (30) of St George’s Barracks.

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