Boksburg driver

Nine staff members at the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital are amongst those that died due to severe burns in the Boksburg tanker explosion. Image: Twitter/Abramjee

JUST IN: Boksburg tanker driver walks free due to lack of evidence

The driver of the tanker that exploded in Boksburg killing 18 people is now a free man due to lack of evidence against him.

Boksburg driver

Nine staff members at the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital are amongst those that died due to severe burns in the Boksburg tanker explosion. Image: Twitter/Abramjee

The driver of the tanker that exploded in Boksburg on 24 December killing 18 people has reportedly been released from prison due to lack of evidence.

The 32-year-old driver was expected to appear at the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 28 December 2022.

BOKSBURG TANKER DRIVER NOW A FREE MAN

The tanker driver was reportedly released from prison on Tuesday, 27 December and did not appear in court on Wednesday. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), there is no case against the driver.

The 32-year-old was arrested on Saturday, 24 December at a private hospital where he had been receiving medical treatment for minor injuries.

As previously reported, the tanker got stuck under a bridge and started leaking resulting in a massive explosion that caused extensive damage to private and public infrastructure within an estimated 500 metres from the scene. Sadly eight more people who had sustained severe burns and injuries have since demised as of Monday, 26 December 2022. 

According to the department, of the 18 deceased people, nine are Tambo Memorial Hospital staff (consisting of one driver, eight nurses)

The South African Police Service (SAPS) had charged the 32-year-old suspect with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death [Act 26 of 1956, Section 27 (2)] and malicious damage to property.

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