Sibusiso Siyaya, 28, was accused with killing 21 people, mostly children


A 28-year-old truck driver named Sibusiso Siyaya was arraigned in the Pongola Magistrates’ Court on Monday in relation to the tragedy that left 21 people dead, mostly children, on Friday of last week.

The National Prosecuting Authority reports that Siyaya has subsequently been accused with contributing to the death.

The truck struck a bakkie carrying schoolchildren. Two adults and 19 children were murdered. Two people, including a teacher’s aide and the driver of the bakkie, reportedly perished.

On Saturday, Siyaya turned himself in to the police.
This comes after Sipho Hlomuka, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison, pleaded with the locals to help the police catch the suspect as he escaped the horrific scene.

His arrest is crucial in helping the families cope with the tragedy of losing their loved ones. We applaud the police for using all available resources to get the motorist to turn himself in, Hlomuka stated over the weekend.

Siyaya now faces 21 charges of culpable murder, according to the NPA.
Remanding the case until September 26, 2022, so that a bail application may be made.

The KwaZulu-Natal government announced that as part of interventions, a high-level team headed by acting premier Nomagugu Simelane will visit the grieving relatives.

Hlomuka, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, the acting MEC for education, and Nonhlanhla Khoza, the MEC for social development, will also be on the team.

Senior management from government organizations will join them and take the lead in helping the impacted families, according to the province administration.

The government delegation will also be present at the truck driver’s court appearance at the Pongola Magistrates’ Court after he turned himself in to the police.

“The Acting Premier will visit the four impacted schools in the region, together with the MECs, in an effort to support the students, teachers, and members of the school governing body who are still in shock and trauma.

The province administration said that upon their arrival, “the enforcement authorities would update them on the investigation, visit schools, and meet with impacted families.”

Simelane commented on the visit and said that it is in the character of a compassionate government to support its citizens through trying times.
We are bringing all government agencies with us as part of the interventions to help with the forensic investigation and to help with social assistance.

Along with the Department of Education, the Department of Social Development will provide social services to help students and staff at the impacted schools.

Simelane said, “We will work with the Pongola community to develop comprehensive measures to put a stop to such unfortunate tragedies.
Additionally, the families of those who lost loved ones in this catastrophe have received the president Cyril Ramaphosa’s sympathies.

He wished those still alive a quick and complete recovery.

After the recent tragic loss of many young lives in an Eastern Cape pub, the President said: “This is yet another painful moment for our nation.

“Under any circumstances, we cannot afford to lose such priceless lives. I’m hoping the Pongola incident inquiry will reveal what caused this tragedy and enable us to look after our kids better in the future.


↯↯↯Read More On The Topic On TDPel Media ↯↯↯