Six people killed in horrific taxi accident

Investigations are ongoing following the tragic accidental deaths of six people yesterday (Saturday) in Ntunjambili.

The deceased, all women and presumably members of the MK party, were travelling in a taxi from Escourt to Nkandla.

According to reports, the driver's brakes failed in Ntunjambili, causing him to lose control of his taxi, which then overturned and caught fire.

The taxi carried 17 passengers.

Ten passengers sustained minor injuries, while five women were pronounced dead at the scene. The injured passengers were taken to Ntunjambili Hospital.

Siboniso Duma, Minister of Transport and Human Settlements of the province, expressed his condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased.

“We would like to announce that we have ordered a thorough investigation into this accident.

“We have involved the national Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the ministry’s traffic inspectorate and the South African Police Service,” said MEC Duma.

“The focus is on determining whether negligence occurred or on identifying the actual cause of the incident.

“We do this to prevent recurrence and, if necessary, to ensure that criminal prosecutions are initiated. This is part of ensuring and demonstrating zero tolerance.”

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