Durban - The truck driver charged with reckless and negligent driving in connection with the accident on the M41 in uMhlanga that damaged 46 cars will remain behind bars after his bail application was postponed yet again in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The 22-year-old Sithulile Zulu’s formal bail application was postponed to March 23 on Wednesday.
In a brief session, Zulu made his second court appearance where he was due to make a formal bail application.
However, the court secretary told a packed public gallery that the matter would continue to be heard on March 23 for formal bail application, adding that the court was due to hear other matters.
The prosecution had announced that it would oppose bail, citing that Zulu was a flight risk.
It was also mentioned that releasing Zulu on bail would interfere with the investigations.
Zulu was arrested on March 6 on the night of the accident after handing himself over to the Durban North SAPS. He had initially fled the scene after the crash during the morning rush hour.
It is suspected that his tipper truck carrying coal had a brake failure, lost control and ploughed into multiple vehicles before veering off the road and overturning a few kilometres away from the scene.
Zulu faces charges of reckless and negligent driving and failure to comply with the duties of a driver following an accident.
He made his first appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday last week and his matter was postponed in order to allow the court to verify the address given and for bail profiling.
Zulu, who is from Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal, will be remanded in custody until then.
In the gallery was Zulu’s father, mother and two siblings, who came along with his extended family to offer support to the accused.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE