The state is opposing bail for a 22-year-old truck driver charged in connection with a multi-vehicle accident in Durban earlier this month, reports News24.

Sithulile Zulu appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday before Magistrate Aida van Vuuren to apply for bail.

He is accused of causing an accident on the M41 in which almost 50 vehicles were damaged. He has been charged with reckless or negligent driving, and ‘failing to comply with the duties of a driver after an accident’.

According to the NPA, the incident caused damage calculated to be more than R500 000 so far.

Several people, including a pregnant woman, were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to serious, according to the police.

During yesterday’s proceedings, the state said the pregnant woman lost her baby after being involved in the accident.

In an affidavit read out by his lawyer, Clinton Short, Zulu said the accident was caused by a mechanical fault on the truck.

Zulu, who handed himself over to the police, denied that he ran from the scene after the crash.

Prosecutor Seema Reddy said the state was opposed to Zulu's bail application because he posed a risk to other road users as the court was not in a position to suspend his driver's licence at this stage.

The case was postponed to 31 March 2023 for the state to verify his driving licence.

Full News24 report

See also full report in The Mercury