The 32-year-old driver of the gas tanker that exploded on Saturday morning in Boksburg, Gauteng was arrested and charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide.
Also read: Update: Death toll from the Boksburg explosion rises to 15
The driver was arrested on Saturday evening at a private hospital where he was receiving medical treatment for minor injuries. He faces 15 counts of culpable homicide and negligence and is expected to appear in court on 28 December.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Health Minister, Joe Phaahla, visited the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital on Sunday to ascertain the damage caused by the blast.
24 patients and 13 staff members who were at the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital at the time of the explosion sustained severe burns and have since been moved to neighbouring hospitals.
The truck was travelling from Richards Bay en route to Botswana, leaving authorities confused as to why it was travelling in that area on Saturday morning.
A heartbroken mother lost four of her children aged between 10 and 16 in the blast.
Gauteng police commissioner, Elias Mawela said the driver will be interviewed before any allegations are made.
Mawela said, “A negligent and reckless driving case will be opened against the driver so that we can establish whether the driver was at fault. For now we cannot say whether he was negligent or not… On the damaged property, we need to open a case of malicious damage to property so that we can establish who is responsible, whether it was intentional, and so forth.”
A truck from the fire department, two cars and two houses were destroyed in the blast.
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