SANELE May’s court case grew to a tearful close as he was sentenced to eight years and ten months at the Durban High Court earlier today.
A Swati translator was brought in to ensure that the truck driver, who pleaded guilty to the 31 counts against him, understood the terms he was agreeing to in the indictment.
The charges included 24 counts of culpable homicide, an illegal foreigner, fraud, the possession of a fake certificate and public driving permit, operating a vehicle without a valid professional driving permit and failure to comply with road traffic signs.
In the indictment it noted that May was aware that he had entered the country illegally and that the driving permits and documents were fraudulent.
“The accused did not comply with road traffic signage which prohibited heavy duty vehicles negotiating the M13 between Hillcrest and Pinetown. He drove past a compulsory stop immediately prior to the Old Main Road, Hillcrest offramp,” said Alistair Walters, a state attorney.
“A few minutes later and at the summit of Field’s Hill, the accused came across a sign showing that it was compulsory for trucks to stop and enter a lay-bye.
“Despite seeing the signage, he ignored the instruction for heavy duty vehicles to stop. The accused was then entering Field’s Hill illegally at a normal speed and in the incorrect gear to be able to negotiate the descent.”
The judge, Kate Pillay, continuously asked May throughout the proceedings whether he understood the terms that he was agreeing to and each time May would break down into tears before answering, ‘yes’.
“The court finds him guilty as charged and sentences him to the charges he agreed to in terms of the indictment. The sentence he will be serving is eight years and 10 months and with good behaviour it could be reduced by at least a third more,” said Pillay.
“This tragic event highlights the need for truck owners to verify the credentials of truck drivers and that the road traffic authorities need to step in and ensure this event is not repeated.”
In a strange twist of fate, a woman was killed in Fields Hill accident involving a truck this morning as the May court proceeding were about to begin.
