THE public transport operator involved in the tragic accident that claimed the life of a young woman and left several learners from St Michael’s High School critically injured has been denied bail.
Sipho Dumsani Dlamini (49) of Logoba appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi yesterday facing charges of culpable homicide and operating a non-roadworthy motor vehicle.
During court proceedings, Prosecutor Mlindi Mthethwa opposed bail, citing the severity of the accident and the condition of the surviving victims, some of whom remain hospitalised with serious injuries.
Mthethwa informed the court that several victims were still receiving medical treatment. He said the ongoing recovery of the injured victims had complicated preparations for trial.
“I tried to enquire from the investigating officer regarding the time required before a trial date could be set but was informed that some of the victims remain critically injured and it was impossible to determine when they will fully recuperate,” Mthethwa told the court.
He subsequently applied for the matter to be postponed to June 30 for further applications, a request that was granted by the court.
The prosecutor also disclosed in court that investigations in the matter were ongoing and another individual may face charges in connection with the accident.
“According to information received from the investigating officer, there is one more person who may be charged in relation to this matter. However, I am not in a position to disclose the identity of that individual at this stage,” he said.
Dlamini faces a charge of culpable homicide stemming from an accident that occurred on June 12 at Mzimnene Footbridge along Meintjies Street in Manzini.
It is alleged that while driving a Toyota Quantum minibus, he unlawfully and negligently lost control of the vehicle and struck nine pedestrians who were walking along the road.
Court documents state that one of the victims, 27-year-old Masoft Sibongosemabindza Vilakati of Siphofaneni, sustained multiple injuries and was certified dead upon arrival at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital.
The charge sheet further indicates that several other pedestrians sustained serious injuries and were admitted for treatment.
The particulars of his negligence are said to have been that Dlamini failed to avoid an accident which a reasonable and prudent driver would have avoided under similar circumstances.
Dlamini is also charged with contravening provisions of the Road Traffic Act No. 6 of 2007 by allegedly operating an un-roadworthy motor vehicle on a public road.
The vehicle is said to have had a faulty emergency brake, leakage in the rear-left brake cylinder and defective service brakes.
According to eyewitnesses, the kombi, which operates on the Manzini–Fairview route, was travelling from Grand Valley, commonly known as GV, towards the Manzini Bus Rank when the driver allegedly experienced brake failure and lost control of the vehicle.
Witnesses said in an apparent attempt to avoid a more devastating collision, the driver swerved towards the bridge’s guardrail. However, the vehicle veered off course and ploughed into a group of pedestrians walking along the pavement.
Among those struck were several Form I learners from St Michael’s High School. Witnesses reported that the force of the impact pinned some of the pupils against a wall adjacent to the bridge, causing severe injuries.
Vilakati, who was carrying a toddler at the time, was also struck by the vehicle and reportedly thrown into the Mzimnene River. She sustained fatal injuries and died shortly afterwards.
The child survived the ordeal and was rushed to RFM Hospital, where she continues to receive medical treatment.
While Vilakati was pronounced dead upon arrival, the injured learners were admitted for urgent care. Five of the pupils were later transferred to Mbabane Government Hospital for specialised treatment.
