Minibus Crash in South Africa Kills 11, Including Schoolchild

At least 11 individuals, including a schoolchild, lost their lives in a tragic minibus crash in South Africa. This incident occurred near the city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province on a Thursday, just over a week after a similar accident resulted in the deaths of 14 schoolchildren.

Details of the Minibus Crash

Siboniso Duma, a representative from the provincial transport department, confirmed that 11 people died at the scene, based on initial reports. Witnesses alleged that a truck driver made a U-turn, leading to a head-on collision with the minibus.

Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for ALS Paramedics, affirmed the death toll and reported that several passengers sustained critical injuries, including the minibus driver, who was trapped in the wreckage.

A Pattern of Tragic Incidents

This latest tragedy marks the second head-on crash involving a minibus taxi and a truck within a short timeframe. On January 19, a previous incident near Johannesburg resulted in the death of 14 schoolchildren. The driver responsible for that crash was arrested and initially charged with manslaughter, later upgraded to 14 counts of murder due to reckless driving allegations.

Minibus Taxis and Road Safety in South Africa

Minibus taxis are a primary mode of public transportation in South Africa, utilized by approximately 70% of commuters. Unfortunately, the country has a poor road safety record. In 2022, there were 11,418 recorded road deaths, a 6% decrease from the 2021 statistics.

• Major Causes of Road Deaths:
• Reckless driving, including speeding.
• Alcohol-related incidents.

Last week, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy emphasized the urgent need to reform driving laws, advocating for a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving. The government aims to improve road safety and reduce fatalities on South African roads.