MEC Ntuli welcomes denial of bail of alleged drunk truck driver who was involved in an accident that killed nine people in Jozini
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli has welcomed the denial of bail of alleged drunk truck driver who was involved in the horrific multiple vehicle crash that claimed the lives of nine people in Jozini on 10 June 2020.
The truck driver identified as Sipho Ntuli, who was suspected of being drunk, was detained by police after the crash and specimen of blood was taken from him for alcohol testing. He is facing a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and nine counts of culpable homicide.
Ntuli was denied bail yesterday, 08 December 2020, when he appeared in the Ubombo Magistrate’s Court. The case was remanded to 21 January 2020 at Ingwavuma Regional Court for pre-trial conference.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ntuli, who was driving an articulated truck, lost control and crashed into five vehicles which included two buses, one mini-bus taxi, one bakkie and a Toyota Condor.
“We applaud the Magistrate’s decision to deny bail for the accused as we believe that releasing the accused on bail would not have been in the interest of justice. The Court’s ruling will also send out a strong message to motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol in our province especially during the festive season and we believe such drivers should be harshly punished for their reckless behaviour. We commend the dedicated team from Jozini Police Station who worked tirelessly to build a water-tight case. The progress made to-date by the police is evident to the commitment to serve with integrity and ensure that justice is served,” said MEC Ntuli.
MEC Ntuli said the province will be stepping up police visibility and law enforcement operations. This will include enhanced policing of transport related crimes to reduce fatalities as part of the Festive Season Safety Plan and provincial crime-fighting intervention programme titled Operation Vala which will be launched by Premier Sihle Zikalala on 11 December 2020.
“Excessive alcohol consumption has contributed immensely to bad driver behaviour which leads to reckless driving, traffic violations, road crashes and the increasing road death toll in the province therefore we will continue to clamp down on such crimes during the festive season and beyond. Our enforcement operations will also be targeting heavy vehicles as we have noted a sharp increase in fatal road crashes and accidents in general that involves trucks,” added MEC Ntuli.
