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FACING THE MUSIC: George Mandlazi, the driver of a truck involved in an accident that claimed the lives of 25 people at a level crossing, is seen in the dock at Barberton Magistrate's Court yesterday. PHOTO: SIBONGILE MASHABA

THE Barberton Magistrate's Court yesterday denied bail to the driver of a truck that was involved in an freak accident that claimed the lives of 25 people in Hectorspruit near Malelane, Mpumalanga, last week.

Magistrate Lucky Mhlanga said he agreed with the investigating officer that George Mandlazi, 32, should not be granted bail because it was too risky to do so.

Investigating officer Lieutenant Senzo Patrick Banda told the court they should allow the community an opportunity to calm down before granting Mandlazi bail.

"It is too early for the court to grant the accused bail. I do not have objections, but I don't think it is the right time for the accused to be released on bail. Maybe after the funeral the community and families (of accident victims) would have calmed down.

"I spoke to him (Mandlazi) this morning and he told me that he does not sleep at night. There is a possibility that he may commit suicide. He has to get counselling because he is still shocked by what happened," Banda said.

Mandlazi is believed to have failed to stop at the level crossing on the N4 Highway between Komatipoort and Malelane.

There were about 44 passengers in the truck.

A train carrying coal from Witbank to Maputo dragged the truck for about 200 metres, leaving bodies with their limbs missing, scattered on the ground.

Banda said there was a 50/50 chance that Mandlazi would flee the country.

"The community is angry. They are still mourning and some felt that something bad would happen to the accused if bail was granted," Banda said.

In his application for bail, a clearly shaken Mandlazi, who had a bandage on his head, said he had four sons, all born of different mothers.

He said he would plead not guilty to 25 counts of murder, reckless and negligent driving.

"My intention was to transport them to work, safely. My grandmother's son died in the accident," Mandlazi said.

Mhlanga said he would grant Mandlazi the opportunity to present new facts at a later stage.

Mandlazi, who told the court he had relatives in Maputo, is expected to appear in court again on August 14.

Mandlazi's stepfather Nelson Mafika said they were saddened by the court's decision

- mashabas@sowetan.co.za

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Thu Jun 20 05:40:16 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 18, 2012

Mellow

He said he would plead not guilty to 25 counts of murder, reckless and negligent driving.
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NOT GUILTY is he freaking kidding me now I hope no one gets to read this news today cause he is a dead man with or without bail community will most def k.ill him this one, He k.illed ppl 25 of them by being negligent and he pleads not guilty iyoooo am lost for words

In his application for bail, a clearly shaken Mandlazi, who had a bandage on his head, said he had four sons, all born of different mothers.
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My goodness the boy is just not a reckless driver 4 kids diff mothers oohhh Mary mother of Jesus, he is 32 works in a farm and have 4 bambinos haai neh SA we need to wakeup really

I was so sad when I read that one of the deceased was 23 and the only bread winner in his family why mara?
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Jul 18, 2012

Memme

Accidents happen everywhere and people do die everyday due to accidents, and no one can just wake up one day and says im going to cause an accident today. The families of the victims are so hurt and angry which is understandable and the driver must also face the law yes but sometimes we need to be realistic in cases like these, The community will be wrong if they attack this driver because of what happened.

He must serve his sentence of course but let's not forget that accidents do happen every second of our lives and people do die.
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Jul 18, 2012

Sugaar

Not quilty until proven so ,why ppl like mellow are so fast to dudge.
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Jul 18, 2012

BaleliM

There were about 44 passengers in the truck.
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The story does not tell us how big the truck was. 44 passengers sounds more like an over load and if it was, then braking was not easy.
Also, the rail crossing bell and lights, no one has mentioned whether these were in working order. If they were, then this man is guilty of killing all those people.

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Jul 18, 2012

Flemza

The truck stalled when he was crossing the railway line , the truck had a mechanical faulty , where is the truck owner who knew that his truck is faulty and just because he is a racist still let innocent people use the truck , to me he is the most guilty one who must be charge , I know Mandlazi was on the driving seat of the truck , but if the truck did not have a mechanical faulty it should have crossed that rail line without any problem.
If there was justice the racist farmer must be the one being charged and sentence to 25 lives in jail without parole , and his farm must be put under adminstration to keep on producing to loof after the families of the deceased
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Jul 18, 2012

Kaylae

Sho*t the messenger right?Did they atleast take the truck for inspection,you'll find that it is a nkosi sikelele truck,no brakes,shocks whatsoever but the employer expects the employees to arrive at work everyday,on time and unharmed.Pity it was this guy who was entrusted to transport these people then again 44 people in a truck,uhmmm thinking is it according to road rules that trucks transport people?cause i heard that even bakkies without canopies are not allowed to carry passengers.

I feel for you baba,hope you get the right counselling and obviously if found guilty serve time,your uncle also died in that accident meaning it was not intentional either way that's why it is called an accident
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Jul 18, 2012

Mellow

@Sugaar Just to entertain your ranting, doesnt look like you've been following this tragedy since it unfolded well I have and if you feel like sitting there and making excuses for this guy then go ahead am not bout to and I wont apologise for it. Go back search for all the stories since Friday read them thoroughly then exercise your judgement and leave ppl like Mellow who are quick to judge for they have their own reasons to doing so and dearie please shout out if you struggling to find the stories I will help I'll just add it to my 67min


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Jul 18, 2012

Mellow

@Kaylae The guy failed to stop at a level crossing could've been due to overloading like BaleliM is saying or maybe he was trying to be a speedy gonzales being reckless and negligent like that as much as it wasnt intentional fact is ppl lost their lives and he is about to pay for it
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Jul 18, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

Flemza - The 'racist farmer'. Is that how you brand all farmers now? As for your allegations, there is zero proof to back up any of the venom you are sprouting. Just letting your racism shine today it seems.
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Jul 18, 2012

brother1

hhayi cha for ur info wena lotsi the is a racist farmer behind all this, not this time lena i truck yemuntfu lomnyama, lohluleke kulandzela timphawu temgwaco ngobe kune stop sign lesikhulu yena wakhetsa kungemi then u say a white men cause this. u must ask b4 u talk crap
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