The KwaZulu-Natal High Court has sentenced Sibusiso Siyaya to 20 years in prison following the de@th of 18 learners, a teacher and a driver in Pongola in 2022. Siyaya, a long-distance truck driver who crashed into a van carrying the 20 deceased, was found gu!lty on 20 counts of murder . He was transporting coal from Mpumalanga to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal when the accident happened.
In addition to his m-rder charges, he was found gu!lty of reckless and negligent driving as well as failure to perform the duties of a driver after an accident. Siyaya fled the scene after the accident and was only arrested a day later. KZN NPA spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, explained that the state presented on board CCTV video clips and GPS evidence, with both technical and mechanical evidence incriminating the convict.
Since the m-0rder counts happened at once, Siyaya was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for them, three years imprisonment for reckless and negligent driving, and six years imprisonment for failure to perform the duties of a driver after an accident. “The court ordered that the sentences for reckless and negligent driving and failure to perform the duties of a driver run.
Acting Judge Garth Davis presiding on the matter also ordered that Siyaya’s licence be cancelled. Advocate Krishen Shah submitted Victim Impact Statements compiled by the family members of the deceased and facilitated by court preparation officer Thandeka Nadi-Mofokeng. “All the family members mentioned that their lives have been devastatingly affected following the incident.
One woman mentioned that all her children di3d in the car on the day of the accident and lost all her children. Another woman mentioned that she lost three of her children who were travelling to school on the day of the accident. The family members spoke of unresolved pain and deep emotional scars,” Kara added.
The learners who di3d in the accident are siblings Minenhle Anginavalo Ntshangase (7), Nothando Ningabesabi Ntshangase (8), Thembelihle Prince Ntshangase (11), who are from the same home, siblings Mduduzi (14) and Philasande Nkonyane, three more children from the Simelane family Thingo (5), Alwande (10) and Nkululeko Simelane(6). The other learners who were also travelling in the bakkie during the horrific accident are Snenhlanhla Nyawo (11), Mpilonhle Nkonde (6), Lizongathi Goba (5), Asanda Mhlongo (14) Siyanda Mlangeni (13), JuniorThikazi (6), Mpilenhle Makhangeza (7), their 28-year-old teacher Zinhle Mkhize and unlicenced driver Lethukuthula Sphephelo Nkonyane (19).
Source Zimoja
