Hon Speaker, last week 10 schoolchildren were killed when a taxi collided with a train after the driver allegedly overtook nine vehicles waiting at the half-boom railway gates at the Blackheath level crossing in Cape Town. The taxi driver is currently facing 10 counts of culpable homicide and was scheduled to appear at the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court yesterday.
He arrived at the court waving and smiling at journalists while shouting and greeting those who were gathered outside the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court ahead of his scheduled appearance as if he had just committed a heroic act.
The deaths of these 10 children, who range from 7 to 16 years of age, have sparked outrage among families, residents and politicians. The IFP believes far too many innocent people die at the hands of reckless drivers in South Africa, and the penalty given to the perpetrators is sometimes far too lenient. It's about time that we, the lawmakers of this country, tighten legislation to deal with such individuals and let justice be served to deal with the criminal behaviour that many other lawless taxi drivers display on a daily basis.
In addition, the IFP believes that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has to reconsider its safety measures at its level crossings, particularly those that are half-boomed, and work hand in hand with law enforcement to prevent these kinds of accidents from happening in the future. Thank you. [Applause.]