The truck driver involved in the deadly 2022 Pongola crash in which 18 learners were killed has been convicted.

The KwaZulu-Natal High Court found Sibusiso Siyaya guilty on 20 counts of murder, reckless and negligent driving as well as failure to perform duties of a driver after an accident. Siyaya was caught on camera recklessly overtaking other vehicles before ploughing into a bakkie transporting school children. All the occupants in the bakkie including a teacher and driver were killed.

The children killed were between ages of five and 13. The KZN’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara says sentencing proceedings will commence today.