Nkosinathi Sibanyoni (28) will spend the next decade behind bars following driving a taxi without a license, resulting in the deaths of nine children in Mayflower during February 2022.

According to Colonel Donald Mdhluli, Sibanyoni was driving a minibus taxi on the day it plunged into a river killing nine minors, aged between 4 and 12 years.

“The court heard that he was responsible for transporting learners to-and-from school. The million dollar question remains as to why he put the lives of the learners by driving without a driver’s licence, a recipe for disaster.”

The court was told Sibanyoni parked the taxi between Dundonald and Mayflower near Elukwatini to transport learners. Mdhluli also said it was later discovered that safety measures to prevent the vehicle from moving on its own were not taken by the driver. While he was accompanying one of the children across the road, he left the taxi unattended and it started moving, eventually plunging into a nearby river in which the occupants drowned.

The MEC for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, welcomed the sentencing and said: “We welcome this judgement. We believe it brings some relief to the affected families and communities. It will also go a long way towards bringing closure to all. We believe that when those who break the rules or drive recklessly are punished, our roads will become safer,”

Macie also said the tragedy will never be forgotten as it brought great anguish and pain to families and the broader community. “What is sad is that it is one of many crashes that could have been avoided had greater care been taken,” he observed. He also urged owners of public transport to always ensure the drivers they employ have valid documents and that their vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

Jackie also voiced his disappointment about the arrest of fourteen suspects in connection with alleged fraud and corruption in the Learners and Driving License application sections at Sabie, Graskop, Lydenburg and Verena this week. This followed collaboration between the HAWKS and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). It is alleged that driving license testing examiners colluded with driving school owners to issue learners with licenses following due processes. He said his department will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies in this regard, adding that the necessary internal steps would also be taken.

“We view corruption and malfeasance in licensing in a serious light because these contribute to road crashes. We must deal with any wrongdoing in a licensing environment and traffic law enforcement to make our roads safer. We also want our communities to report any corrupt activities on 0800 701 701,” Macie urged.