Thulaganyo Sethibe|Published
An Umlazi shop owner lost over R250,000 worth of stock after a truck hit his shop on Sunday afternoon, along with several homes on the same street.
Speaking to IOL on Monday, Simphiwe Khuzwayo said the truck hit his shop while he was inside with two staff, injuring them and damaging electronic machines.
Seven neighbouring homes were destroyed along with the shop, leaving five people injured and his electronic stock damaged.
Khuzwayo said residents looted the shop after the truck demolished it. He also explained that his shop contained customers' cellphones that he was supposed to fix.
“According to my understanding, the truck driver had an argument with another guy who was driving a Polo. He jumped off the truck to fight that man. After that, the truck started rolling - he had forgotten to put the handbrake on."
The five victims knocked by the truck were taken to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital for medical attention and discharged just before midnight.
Those whose homes were damged or destroyed went to relatives nearby where they will be temporarily accommodated.
Manhunt launched to find the driver and truck owner
The driver allegedly ran away when he saw the truck moving by itself.
KZN transport authorities are now searching for him and the truck's owner.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the owner of the truck must be held accountable.
He said the Road Traffic Inspectorate must work with the police to find the driver and owner of the truck.
Residents said authorities towed the truck away on Sunday evening.
Umlazi residents left without power after runaway truck damage
Several residents whose homes were not damaged were nevertheless affected because the truck hit electricity poles and cables, leaving homes without power.
"Since yesterday, we do not have electricity. We have not eaten and the power is still not back yet," said Ubuhle Mvubo, one of the affected residents.
She said their children bathed with cold water on Monday morning while getting ready for school. "We are not being told whether the electricity is being fixed or not."
thulaganyo.sethibe@iol.co.za
IOL News