Pongola crash truck driver drove in oncoming lane

The driver of the articulated coal truck which collided head-on with a bakkie and killed 18 pupils, the driver and an assistant teacher in Pongola last week had been driving in the oncoming lane for about 1.2km.

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula revealed details on Thursday during a media briefing at the scene in northern Kwazulu-natal.

The report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation found that the driver, Sibusiso Siyaya, 28, overtook multiple vehicles.

“The driver recklessly overtook vehicles and drove in the oncoming lane for approximately 1.2km. The driver made no attempt to return to his lane.”

Mbalula said while the truck driver’s actions were extremely reckless, the driver who was transporting the 18 primary school pupils had been doing so illegally.