NELSPRUIT – George Mandlazi (33) who was charged with 24 counts of murder after the truck he had been driving ended up in front of an oncoming train near Hectorspruit last year, pleaded guilty to lesser charges on Tuesday. However, he will have to wait until February 10 next year to hear if he will have to spend time behind bars.
Mandlazi was on his way to Tulloh farm with 47 seasonal fruit pickers on July 13 last year when the accident occurred. Twenty four of them died a horrific death when the truck collided with the train. Thirty one witnesses, including some of the survivors, were subpoenaed by the state to testify against Mandlazi. The trial finally commenced in the Gauteng Circuit of the High Court this week.
Mandlazi’s case looked bleak as Mr Samuel Langa (37), who had been seated in the front of the truck next to him, testified that he had been distracted as he was talking to a female passenger.
He added that Mandlazi didn’t stop at the railway crossing. In addition, he testified that the driver who usually had transported them, always stopped at the crossing, even if a train wasn’t approaching.
Mr Hendrik Engelbrecht (51), manager of Tulloh, added that he was driving on the service route next to the railway that day, inspecting his orchid. He saw and heard a hooting train when it approached the tracks 500 metres away. He said he had a clear view of the slow moving truck, driving on the slightly uphill road towards the crossing. Both Engelbrecht and the truck were heading in the direction of the farm. He then testified that Mandlazi had no intention of stopping at the crossing after which the train collided with the truck. “Bodies were flying like feathers from a pillow upon impact,” he said.
Defence advocate Ms Illana Erasmus indicated that day that Mandlazi will testify that he had indeed stopped at the crossing and waited until he thought that it was safe to cross. The following day, she told the court that her client would like to change his plea. He consequently pleaded guilty to 24 counts of culpable homicide and one of reckless and negligent driving.
Mandlazi admitted that he had not kept a proper lookout and that he had been careless. This resulted in the death of 24 people and he was fully aware of the consequences of his actions. Mandlazi, who was supported by his mother throughout the trial, has a valid driver’s licence. The 23 counts of attempted murder have been withdrawn.
He signed the amendment and the court indicated that it would accept his plea. Erasmus requested that his bail be extended unil his next scheduled court appearance. It was granted. Mandlazi apologised for his actions and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
