Schoolchildren injured in John Ross highway crash
Eleven children, aged five to eight years, were injured when the minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck on the John Ross highway on Monday.
The taxi was travelling from eSikhaleni to Richards Bay when the crash occurred at the dangerous Eyamakhosi truck stop intersection.
ALSO READ: Horrific N2 crash claims 8 lives near Empangeni
KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulances spokesperson Craig Botha said four children suffered serious injuries while seven sustained minor injuries.
'When our paramedics arrived at the scene, they provided immediate medical attention to the children. All injured were stabilised at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,' Botha said.
In a separate incident, eight members of Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion – with headquarters in Hluhluwe – were killed in a horror crash on the N2 near the John Ross highway bridge on Sunday.
Reports indicate that 24 church members from Gobandlovu outside Esikhaleni were en route to Dukuduku near Mtubatuba when a large towing vehicle hit their light truck from behind.
The truck's canopy flung off as a result of the impact, with the passengers thrown onto the highway.
The KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlement MEC, Siboniso Duma, said, 'My office is in touch with Reverend Simiso Mathe from the local branch, Intathakusa Church in Zion, based in Ward 3.
'The church is affiliated with Umkhumbi Wesethembiso Church in Zion. Nine church members were treated and discharged on Sunday, and three are still in the hospital.'
He added that the tow truck driver was arrested, and a case of culpable homicide is being investigated by police.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Watch: Bakkie catches fire in Empangeni
Less than a minute Mbuso Kunene Less than a minute A delivery man was lucky to escape unharmed when his bakkie caught fire on the R102 near Canfields in Empangeni on Wednesday afternoon. ALSO READ: Former DA councillor sentenced to life for murdering family in Bethany fire According to reports, the fire started at the back of the vehicle, allegedly from a battery. City of uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue attended the scene and extinguished the flames. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Rietondale residents distraught over police inaction
Rietondale residents have expressed growing frustration over what they describe as ongoing safety concerns being ignored by the metro police, despite repeated calls for intervention. According to Ward 84 Councillor Anru Meyer, there have been several events happening in the area without the metro's permission, and a lack of police visibility is making things worse. 'For over a month now, lack of TMPD visibility has led to by-laws being violated in parts of the suburb, such as Rietondale Park and the property on the corner of Nico Smith Street and Codonia Avenue.' He said the Hardy Muller circle and CR Swart Drive have become taxi ranks, with taxis stopping anywhere on the corner of Nico Smith Street, where buses and trucks need to come to an instant stop. 'These violations make it harder for truck drivers who need to stop [trucks] of more than 15 tons.' He said vagrants are setting up camp at the park, making open fires, and on weekends, events are hosted at the park without the Joint Operations Committee's (JOC) approval. 'Delivery vehicles, trucks and taxis also use it for parking.' He said recently, a sports event was hosted at the park, and spectators were drinking alcohol on the sidewalks and playing loud music. 'When we call the metro police to assist, they are not available, and if they do arrive, nothing is done about the situation they are called for. 'The TMPD has been contacted numerous times on these issues, but to no avail. Emails have been sent with no response.' Meyer said the lack of TMPD visibility has affected the lives of the whole ward, not only Rietondale. He said crime has increased in parts of the suburb and urged for more patrols in Rietondale Park, especially over the weekends. 'In Rietondale last week, a bin was also stolen. There was a recent cable theft in Villieria, which was also not responded to.' He said the TMPD must respond to complaints when there are events without JOC approval. Meyer added that he open space on the corner of Nico Smith and Codonia should be constantly patrolled by by-law enforcement and be cleared regularly. Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the metro had not been informed of the events that took place on the reported days. 'The city was not informed of any planned events taking place at the facility on those days.' The TMPD was contacted for a response to the complaints. Spokesperson Isaac Mahamba said the issues raised were operational matters, which are not discussed publicly. 'As police, we do not discuss operational plans in public as they are confidential and classified. We don't announce when we are planning to conduct our operations,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Life imprisonment for rapist of elderly woman
THE Scottburgh Regional Court has sentenced a 38-year-old man to life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the rape of a 64-year-old woman. The rape occurred in 2023 in the KwaCele area. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in the early hours of 18 January 2023, the complainant was asleep in her bed when she felt someone's presence in her room, and she awoke. NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the accused grabbed her and used his hand to cover her mouth to prevent her from screaming. ALSO READ: KZN marks International Children's Day with calls to end violence against children 'He told her he would do as he pleased, and thereafter, he would give her R200. He overpowered the complainant and raped her. Her screams alerted her daughter to the offence, and she came to her mother's rescue,' said Ramkisson-Kara. Ramkisson-Kara further revealed that the accused then climbed through the bedroom window and fled the scene. 'He was arrested shortly after, at his place of residence, after being pointed out by the complainant and her daughter. 'In aggravation of the sentence, Prosecutor Thanusha Govender told the court that the circumstances of the offence were inhumane. The complainant had a right to feel safe in the sanctity of her own home, however, the accused invaded her privacy. ALSO READ: No explosion, says Tronox after loud bang prompts evacuation 'Govender also handed in the J88 form, as well as a DNA analysis report. The accused was convicted accordingly, and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm,' added Ramkisson-Kara. Ramkisson-Kara said the NPA welcomes the life sentence handed down. 'Elderly persons are protected by legislation due to their vulnerability as they age, and ought to be able to live in a peaceful and safe environment. Cases such as this underscore the NPA's commitment to ensuring justice is served, particularly in cases involving crimes against the most vulnerable members of our society, our elderly,' she said. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
