Dashcam footage from the truck driven by Sibusiso Siyaya reveals that he drove on the wrong side of the road for 1.2 kilometres at high speeds to avoid traffic, resulting in a devastating collision with a bakkie transporting school children in September 2022.
All 20 occupants of the bakkie were killed in the tragic crash on the N2 in Pongola.
The victims included 18 children and two adults, who were on their way to school when the head-on collision occurred.
Following a three-week trial, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, sitting in Pongola, convicted Siyaya on 20 counts of murder on Tuesday.
Initially charged with culpable homicide, Siyaya’s charges were upgraded to murder due to the severity and circumstances of the incident.
According to the State indictment, Siyaya, 28, was employed as a heavy motor vehicle driver for a company transporting coal from Mpumalanga to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal.
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The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Kara, confirmed that Siyaya was also found guilty of reckless and negligent driving and failure to perform duties of a driver after an accident.
Post-mortem reports indicated that the deceased, the youngest being five years old, suffered various injuries, including blunt head and chest trauma and head injuries.
The devastating crash prompted a visit to the site by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, who released a report condemning Siyaya’s reckless behaviour.
The report highlighted that Siyaya overtook on a barrier line and drove in the oncoming lane for 1.2 kilometres, posing significant danger to other motorists.
Dashcam footage revealed that Siyaya had seven near-misses with other trucks and cars before ultimately colliding with the bakkie.
The conviction has brought a sense of justice to the grieving families and the community, although the pain of their loss remains immeasurable.
The court’s decision underscores the severe consequences of reckless driving and the importance of road safety for all.
Siyaya will be sentenced today (Wednesday). Watch the video on the SA Trucker App here.