Taxi hits bakkie, injuring 18 schoolchildren
Eighteen primary schoolchildren packed into the back of a bakkie escaped with minor injuries after a minibus taxi collided with them in New Brighton on Thursday morning.
The taxi driver, 33, was arrested on the scene.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the canopied bakkie was carrying the 18 children, aged between six and 12, when the accident took place at about 7.30am.
Beetge said witnesses reported that the taxi was speeding and overtaking before hitting the side of the bakkie.
The bakkie was turning into Harmans Street, New Brighton, to drop a child off at Samuel Nongogo Primary School.
“The bakkie was carrying 10 girls and eight boys, none of whom had serious injuries.”
Beetge said only the driver and one passenger were in the taxi at the time.
The children were taken to Livingstone and Dora Nginza hospitals for treatment for shock and general check-ups.
Beetge said the minibus taxi was found to be unroadworthy and unlicensed.
“The vehicle was taken to the police station and the driver arrested.”
The driver is licensed but lacks a professional driving permit, required by law to operate as a taxi driver.
In May 2017, a law was passed making it illegal to convey schoolchildren for reward in the goods compartment of a vehicle – bakkies included.
Beetge said the bakkie driver could also be charged for flouting road regulations relating to the transporting of children in a bakkie.
“Detectives will liaise with traffic department officials and the department of transport.”
The minibus driver is due to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Friday in connection with charges of reckless and negligent driving.