Nkosinathi Sibanyoni (28), who did not have a driver’s licence, will spend the next decade behind bars following a culpable homicide incident that occurred in Mayflower claiming the lives of nine children in February 2022.
On that fateful day, Sibanyoni was driving a minibus taxi that plunged into the river killing the nine minors, aged between 4 and 12 years old.
It was heard in court that he parked the taxi he was driving between Dundonald and Mayflower near Elukwatini. The taxi was occupied by the children and it was later discovered that safety measures to prevent the vehicle from moving was somehow not taken into consideration by the driver.
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An investigation was conducted, leading to the arrest of Sibanyoni who was then convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Elukwatini Regional Court on Monday, September 16.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi indicated that the sentence should serve as a lesson to others.
“The threat to road safety, including that of children on our roads remains a concern in our society hence the efforts by the state to address this situation, including the arrests of anyone involved in unwarranted or illegal issuing of licences. The sentence should also send a strong message to motorists, that roads are meant to be safely used by all people, including drivers, commuters as well as pedestrians, not for drivers only. Once everyone understands the need to carefully use the road with much consideration of others, the better and such kinds of accidents can be minimized,” said the General.
