Shaka's Head driver 'ignored stop sign'

Shaka's Head driver 'ignored stop sign'

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Willies Mchunu says they can confirm that the taxi transporting 20 people from Zimbali to KwaDukuza on Monday did not stop at the stop street after the exit to Shaka' s Rock.

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The minibus taxi crashed down an embankment and landed on railway tracks. It was then hit by an oncoming passenger train. 

Sixteen people have died as a result of the accident in Shaka's Head.

Speaking to reporters at a memorial service in Groutville for the victims, Mchunu said they suspect the driver had been travelling at high speed.

He says investigations are ongoing.

''We have sent our teams, they are at the scene.  There are forensic investigations that are ongoing but there are also structural engineering teams looking into the problem of that area.  

''We have also been further informed that there is a problem of taxis using that as a taxi stop. We are trying to address all of those matters,'' he said.

Paramedics have attended to a number of inconsolable women some of whom have been struggling to breathe at the emotional memorial service. 

See more photos from the service by clicking here.

(Photos: Khatija Nxedlana)

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