TRUCK DRIVER IN FATAL CRASH DENIED BAIL

MANZINI – The man who allegedly drove negligently and rammed into a school bus ferrying preschool children, killing four of them and their driver, was yesterday denied bail by the court.

Disco Zintozakhe Ndlangamandla (36) of Dlangeni appeared before Magistrate Nelisiwe Hlophe yesterday after he was arrested and charged with culpable homicide. The horrific accident occurred on Friday in Bhunya near Montigny Mill along the MR18 public road. The accused was allegedly driving a combination of two vehicles, a truck tractor Scania registered JJY 571 MP with a semi trailer registered JKF 628 MP when the accident occurred. The charge sheet states that Ndlangamandla drove negligently and overtook at a corner to the right lane, further colliding with the oncoming kombi ferrying the preschool pupils. The kombi, registered CSD 616 Am, was extensively damaged when the accident occurred. Its driver, one Ntokozo Mayisela (29) of Ndonjane, was killed instantly together with the four children.

The children, Dumisa Dlamini (6) of Zondwako, Tsandziwe Mabila (5) of Bhunya, Hachaba Amelliah (5) of Zondwako and Langelihle Dlamini (7) of kaLuhleko, were all taken to Mankayane Government Hospital, where they were certified dead upon arrival. All the pupils were learners at Mangwayane Pre-School situated in the area and the truck is alleged to have been ferrying logs from Montigny. Some of the children had to be rushed to the same government hospital after they had sustained serious injuries. The pupils are still reportedly admitted to the hospital. Ndlangamandla, who wanted to explain to the court how the accident occurred and how remorseful he was, was abruptly interrupted by the court. He was informed that it was not yet time for him to explain events which led to the accident.

Application

When he made a bail application, it was opposed by the court as some of the pupils are reportedly still in a critical condition. Montigny Executive Director Andrew Le Roux said the community was still shocked by the horrific accident. The charge sheet and statements submitted in court state that Ndlangamandla overtook on a solid line and at a corner and failed to consider other road users. He also allegedly failed to apply brakes and to drive with due care and attention, further causing an accident which a reasonable driver would have avoided. Ndlangamandla told the court that he would conduct his own defence during trial. The accused was remanded  in custody until Thursday, pending the setting of his trial date and the recovery of the other victims. Meanwhile, another truck driver who is alleged to have caused the accident which led to the loss of lives of the five people, including four children, was arrested by the police.
The truck driver, Albert Kunene (45) of Hawane appeared before Magistrate Nelisiwe Hlophe yesterday.

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