Alberton trucker granted bail

The driver of a truck that ploughed into 48 vehicles, killing three people on the N12 East in Alberton, was on Monday granted R7000 bail in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.

Magistrate Samuel Hlubi said the State failed to prove that giving Isaac Wade Maruding bail was not in the interests of justice.

"The State failed to prove to the court that he will evade trial... and that his release will endanger the safety of the public," said Hlubi.

He said he took into account the fact that Maruding was last convicted of culpable homicide 17 years ago, meaning there was a chance he had been rehabilitated.

He had spent 18 months behind bars at the time.

"Considering the seriousness of the offence and public interest... there are no grounds for him not to be granted bail," said Hlubi.

Maruding faces three counts of culpable homicide and a single one of reckless and negligent driving.