KZN Transport Dept probing if scholar transport vehicle that claimed 5 lives was roadworthy

DURBAN - The Department of Transport in KwaZulu-Natal is probing whether a scholar transport vehicle that claimed the lives of five learners was roadworthy.

It has been established that the minibus taxi belongs to the Azaliya Taxi Association.

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The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree before ploughing into a classroom of a pre-school in the Imbali area of Pietermaritzburg.

The five pupils who died were on their way to school.

"The MEC [Siboniso Duma] has said we need to establish the following: why the taxi driver jumped out of the moving minibus taxi, leaving children trapped inside. 

"The investigation will also look roadworthiness of the minibus taxi and the status of the scholar transport," said KwaZulu-Natal Transport spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya.

Sibiya added that provincial government will coordinate a mass funeral for the victims.

"He will be working with MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane, MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka, to plan the mass funeral."