Central SA
Truck driver involved in N1 collision granted bail─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 08:43 Thu, 15 Dec 2022
The Brandfort Magistrate's Court has granted R5000 bail to the 47-year-old truck driver involved in the fatal collision which claimed 12 lives on the N1 road next to Candy Farm, 22km from Verkeedevlei in the Free State.
Thembalihle Mabanya appeared in court on 14 December 2022 following his arrest on Monday 12 December 2022 on charges of culpable homicide.
The accused, who was travelling from Postmasburg to Durban, allegedly lost control and collided with the oncoming minibus taxi on the N1 on Monday. The minibus Quantum was travelling from Johannesburg to Sterkspruit.
Seven male persons, one baby boy, and three girls were all certified dead on the scene, while one boy and two girls, aged between 10 and 12 years old, were admitted to the Pelonomi Trauma Hospital with serious injuries.
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Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said the case against Mabanya has been postponed to 27 February 2023 for further investigation.
Opposition parties, including the EFF and ActionSA in the Free State, have since critiqued the Department of Police, Roads and Transport for a lack of traffic officials on various provincial and national roads.
ALSO READ: Collision could have been avoided opposition criticises department
