The owner of a truck that ploughed into several vehicles on Pinetown’s Fields Hill in 2013‚ killing 24 people‚ was fined R25‚000 after entering into a plea agreement with the state.

Gregory Govender‚ the owner of Sagekal Logistics‚ faced various charges of contravening the Road Traffic and Immigration acts.

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The driver of the truck‚ Swazi national Sanele May‚ was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in November 2014.

The truck he was driving crashed into a fully loaded minibus taxi and several other vehicles on September 5‚ 2013.

 National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said that Govender had pleaded guilty.

 He was fined R20‚000 for failing to maintain a roadworthy vehicle and R5‚000 for hiring May‚ who was not eligible to work in the country.

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The KZN Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Moipone Noko welcomed the plea agreement.

“We welcome the sentence and hope it serves as a warning to transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy. Truck accidents contribute significantly to the carnage on our roads.”