One dead, three missing as KZN taxi washed away

Thirteen other passengers managed to get to safety.

DURBAN, March 29 (ANA) – One person has died and three others are missing after the taxi in which they were travelling over the weekend was washed away while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge in KwaZulu-Natal.

KZN MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Sipho Hlomuka expressed his sadness following the incident, which occurred on Saturday night in Weenen, western KZN.

Hlomuka confirmed in a statement on Sunday that a 40-year-old woman drowned and that the search was on for the three missing passengers, who are believed to be from one family.

The MEC said that an investigation would be launched into the incident to determine whether there was an element of negligence on the part of the driver.

CoGTA spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said that 13 passengers managed to get to safety.

According to reports, the taxi attempted to cross a flooded bridge in the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality when it was swept away by the force of the water.

“Disaster management teams are working non-stop to locate the missing people who are believed to be from one family.

“According to teams that responded to the incident, two teenagers, a male and a female, and an adult from the Mkhize household are unaccounted for and are believed to have been swept away by the raging waters,” Mzila explained.

The MEC said he was concerned about the number of people who have died in the province due to inclement weather conditions.

“We are saddened by this latest incident. Our teams are working round the clock in conjunction with the police search and rescue teams to locate the missing,” said Hlomuka, urging road users to remain vigilant.

Hlomuka also urged motorists to avoid crossing low-lying bridges during bad weather as doing so is dangerous.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher