Taxi involved in deadly KZN train crash was unroadworthy, dangerous

A TAXI – in which 16 commuters died when a train smashed into it at Shaka’s Head in KwaZuluNatal – had been riddled with mechanical faults despite receiving a roadworthy certificate at a private centre in Gauteng.

Key parts had been removed and replaced or refitted, in some cases with non-standard parts.

The findings emerged when Transport MEC Willies Mchunu delivered a preliminary report on the accident at the legislature in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.

The taxi driver had lost control, veered off a bridge and landed on the railway line, before the train smashed into it on August 17.

Mchunu had commissioned a private forensic investigator to establish what had caused the accident. Mchunu said the department would use the report to conduct a further investigation to establish what action should be taken.

“It is concerning that a vehicle from KwaDukuza would go as far as Gauteng to obtain a roadworthiness certificate. We are investigating this,” Mchunu told the legislature.

His spokesman Kwanele Ncalane said the investigator had found the braking system was unroadworthy and dangerous. Other defaults included:

Several new steering racks, pinions and shock absorbers had been fitted.

The gearbox wasn’t the standard Hi-Ace gearbox.

The speedometer couldn’t be connected.

The engine had been removed and refitted.

The left side engine mounting as well as the rear gearbox had perished.

The rear brake drum diameter was above the normal size.

The right front brakes were worn to excess, which would result in unstable braking on the front axle.

The rear axle “U” bolts were loose, resulting in an unstable vehicle.

Mchunu later told The Star’s sister paper, The Mercury, that police and the KZN and Gauteng transport departments would conduct a joint investigation to find out who issued the taxi with a roadworthy certificate.

He didn’t reveal the name of the testing centre.

A senior department official said despite the faults on the taxi, it was unlikely its owner would be held accountable.

“The law does not allow us to hold the owner accountable if he was not driving.”