Taxi driver’s house torched after deadly crash

ANGRY community members from Imbali township in Pietermaritzburg torched the house rented by Lindokuhle Bhande, the taxi driver charged in connection with a crash in which five people died on Sunday.

Bhande, 34, made a brief appearance in court on Monday before his case was adjourned to Friday for a bail application.

On Sunday, the taxi, which was travelling from Imbali township to the CBD, crashed in Moses Mabhida Road near aluminium factory Hulamin.

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department said in a statement that it was alleged the taxi driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

It is understood that community members from Unit BB section in Imbali township torched the house Bhande was living in, in the early hours of Monday.

Ward 17 councillor Mphilisi Ndlovu said he was aware of the incident, but had not seen the condition of the house.

He added that he had been involved in a meeting with the affected families, the taxi industry and Department of Transport to make funeral arrangements yesterday.

Speaking to The Mercury, South African National Taxi Council provincial office manager Sifiso Shangase also appealed to the Msunduzi Municipality to step up traffic enforcement as many taxi drivers were not respecting road rules.

“We support a move for speed humps if that can help in reducing crashes on our roads, because there is very little respect for robots in this city by drivers,” said Shangase.

Msunduzi Municipality acting spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize said they sympathised with the concerns regarding traffic-related problems along the road and condemned irresponsible driver behaviour.

“We wish to convey heartfelt condolences to families and friends who lost their loved ones in the horrific accident and we wish to appeal to all road users to always be extra vigilant and respect the rules of the road to avoid such fatal accidents and to save lives,” said Mkhize.

She pointed out that the Moses Mabhida Road where the accident occurred was considered a high-order road in the city’s road network system, and the council policy precluded the implementation of speed humps on this road except in the sections regarded as “high accident zones”.

The acting spokesperson said that there was sufficient signage in terms of speed limits and regulatory signage which act as traffic-calming measures.