The owner of the truck that crashed into several vehicles on Field’s Hill in 2013 killing 24 people has entered into a plea agreement with the state that will see him avoid jail time. According to a report on the IoL site, Gregory Govender, the owner of Sagekal Logistics, will, under the plea and sentence agreement, pay a combined fine of R25 000.

The NPA said yesterday that it had entered into a plea and sentence agreement with Govender’s legal team under section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

Govender pleaded guilty to contravention of the National Road Traffic Act regarding the roadworthiness of the truck and the trailer that was involved in the crash, contravening the Act in terms of the duties of an operator. In September 2013, Govender’s truck, driven by Swazi national, Sanele May, skipped a red traffic light after the brakes had failed and crashed into several vehicles at a major intersection on Fields Hill, killing 24 people. May, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him, is serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Full report on the IoL site

The fine has been slammed by road safety organisations, who yesterday described it ‘as a slap in the face’ for the families of 24 people who died and the driver who is languishing in jail. A report in The Mercury quotes Peach Piche, founder of the Sanele May Support Group, as saying they believed the fine should have been more substantial and should have included compensation for the families.

‘It doesn’t seem fair that he (Govender) gets to pay R25 000 – that’s like R1 000 for each life lost – and walks away free. The fact that Sanele was placed in that situation, and so many people died, was owing to the negligence of the truck owner not ensuring that his vehicles were roadworthy. Richard Benson, the head of the Road Safety Action Campaign, said the fine was not much considering the loss of lives and pain and suffering caused.

‘The owner should, at the very least, have the same responsibility as the driver. In some instances they should be held more accountable as they have the responsibility to prevent an unqualified, unskilled driver from taking over a vehicle. ‘There should be heavy penalties for neglecting this responsibility,’ said Benson. His sentiments were echoed by Advocate Johannes Jonck, the editor of the Arrive Alive website. Although he could not comment directly on the case, Jonck said it was important that offenders in road crashes be brought to justice. ‘It should never only be the driver. In the transport industry, the owner or the fleet manager has to bear responsibility.’

Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)