Driver not in police custody: Was what was revealed when Police Spokesperson, Captain Doniah Mothitsane gave an update on October 15, on the N12 accident aftermath.
It was later clarified by Captain Mothutsane that the truck driver involved in the accident that occurred near the Voortrekker off ramp in Alberton, had been arrested on October 15. This came after it was uncovered that the statement made by Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters on the truck drivers arrest on October 14, was untrue.
Police Spokesperson, Captain Doniah Mothutsane on the morning of October 15, revealed that the truck driver involved in the N12 horror crash had not been in police custody as he had not yet been arrested. Her statement conflicted with the Transport Ministers which was made a day before.
“The driver will face a charge of culpable homicide and will appear in the Palm Ridge Court tomorrow,” updated Captain Doniah Mothutsane.
The police were still busy with investigations and collecting witness statements about the incident that shook Johannesburg on the morning of October 14 where four people were killed and over 40 others injured.
Minister Peters had told the Press on Tuesday, “The driver has been arrested and the preliminary report indicates that the accident was caused by brake failure of the truck.”
In the statement, which has been found to be untrue, she also called for the driver of the truck to be held accountable for the horrific accident.
It was when the brakes of a truck failed near the Voortrekker off-ramp that the heavy-load vehicle went crashing into backed up morning traffic. Fifty two vehicles comprising forty nine cars and three trucks, were badly damaged.
Caxton South Distribution Manager, Freddy Sephaka recalled hearing a screeching sound when he saw a speeding truck hooting to vehicles alarming them to quickly move out of the way. Seconds after that, he said he saw a cloud of dust and crashing sounds in the background.
Fortunately, he and others made it out of the incident safely and unharmed.
Following the arrest of the truck driver, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has said that the owners of Benusi Courier Company, owners the truck and employers of the arrested driver, must be held lawfully accountable.
