Tow truck driver arrested after KZN crash kills 8
The collision happened on the N2 near Empangeni on Sunday
At least eight people have died and 16 are injured after a crash in the early hours of Sunday morning in KwaZulu- Natal.
A Hyundai H100 LDV was transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) from their place of worship to the Dukuduku/Mtubatuba area when it struck from behind by a towtruck.
The collision happened on the N2 near Empangeni.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika adding the tow truck driver has since been arrested.
'Horrific' Mother's Day crash
KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma described the incident as 'horrific'.
'We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the church,' Duma said.
He said a team had been assembled to 'liaise with the church and families during this difficult period'.
'I have also mandated the RTI to immediately keep in touch with the RTMC to ensure that an investigation is conducted around this horrific accident.
'We will be updating the people of KwaZulu-Natal as we move forward,' Duma said.
This is a developing story.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Sassa ‘fraudsters' could face charges if they don't update income status
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) urged beneficiaries who no longer qualify for social grants but continue to receive payments to update their income status. It warned that failure to do so might lead to criminal charges being pursued against those beneficiaries. This follows a joint investigation with credit bureaus revealing that about 210 000 individuals have been fraudulently receiving the grant despite changes in their income status. Read more: Sassa delays June payments over undisclosed income Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the agency discovered that some beneficiaries failed to disclose alternative incomes, with some using multiple bank accounts to separate employment earnings from grant funds. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, he urged beneficiaries who are still receiving the grants despite a change in their income to voluntarily visit their nearest Sassa office to update their income status. He noted that beneficiaries have been given two weeks [starting from June 2] to present themselves at their nearest Sassa office with the necessary documentation. 'They have to ask the Sasssa official to update their status.' Also read: Sassa announces June grant payment days He further warned that failure to comply could lead to criminal charges being pursued against beneficiaries. 'We don't want to go to that level; that is why we are appealing to them to do the right thing.' He revealed that some beneficiaries were identified as public servants. 'When it's a public servant, we have a Personnel and Salary System number, so we can trace them easily. We can block the grant and recover government resources given fraudulently.' Sassa hopes to avoid taking legal action but will assess compliance after the two-week deadline. 'We will evaluate the response rate and commitments made. A report from our fraud management unit will guide the next steps.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Sassa extends deadline to swift to new cards At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Pilot and two passengers on missing aircraft in KZN, confirmed dead
"We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased passengers," said MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in KZN, Siboniso Duma. "ARCC informed us that they will be handing over the matter to the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for the official investigation. The aircraft , which left the Virginia Airport at around 3pm on the day was reportedly operated by a student pilot. The Pyper Cherokee aircraft that went missing on Sunday has been found. However, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) has confirmed that all three passengers aboard, were found dead. The Pyper Cherokee aircraft with the registration of ZSKFB was last seen on Sunday. The aircraft took off from Virginia Airport, Durban, around 3pm and did not reach its intended destination. It was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. Duma said they were informed by the ARCC that they would be handing over the matter to the SAPS's Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for the official investigation. He said they were in communication with Zama Biyela, the mother of the late student pilot (Nqobile Biyela). "This is the most difficult period for her and the entire family. "Losing such a young great leader with a promising career in the aviation industry, under such circumstances, is not only tragic but devastating. "Officials from my office and Ayanda Msweli, the country's leading traffic anchor, are in touch with Biyela family and we will locate the other families to express our condolences, and we salute rescue teams for their display of efficiency." He singled out ARCC, SAPS Search and Rescue, Fire and Rescue Okhahlamba, Search and Rescue Zone Association, KZN Provincial EMS, Hamnet, ER24, Netcare911, Berg Flying, Greytown G911, Umboti Community Services, MTN and the Bhanoyi Airfield Estate for their efforts in the search mission. Meanwhile, Duma said his department had announced plans in April, through guidance from the aviation industry and the Economic Regulations for Transport Act, regarding major work being done at various airports in the province like Margate, Oribi, Umkhuze, Richards Bay and Virginia Airports. "We are currently harmonising our work with relevant departments such as SA Aviation Authority, Airport Company of South Africa, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs," he said. Additional Reporting: DAILY NEWS REPORTER
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
Three killed in light aircraft crash in KZN
On Sunday it came to light that authorities were searching for a 'missing' light aircraft that had departed from Durban's Virginia Airport on Sunday. Rescuers have now found the wreckage, and all three occupants deceased – including a student pilot – with the plane appearing to have crashed into sugar cane fields. The aircraft was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. The provincial Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the department is working with the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre on the matter 'ARCC informed us that they will be handing over the matter to the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Accident and Incident Investigation Division and the South African Civil Aviation Authority for the official investigation. 'We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased passengers,' Duma said. Authorities are currently continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
