Hopes fade as Bay taxi victim clings to life

Khanyi Ndabeni HERALD REPORTER

THE young university student who was critically injured when he was knocked off his bicycle by a taxi has taken a turn for the worse and there were fears last night that he could be brain-dead.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University first-year student Jason Kruger, 20, of Sedgefield, was run down at a crossing near the university last week, sparking an outcry against reckless taxi drivers.

Jason‘s father, Zwaai Kruger, said last night: “He is still in a critical condition. We will only know later if he is brain-dead. The family is still waiting for a doctor‘s confirmation.”

Last week, another man was critically injured after being hit by a taxi.

Mzimkhulu Socenywa, 39, of Kwazakhele, is still in a coma after he was knocked down and dragged five metres – allegedly by a drunk and unlicensed taxi driver – in Njoli Square.

Family spokesman Mthetheleli Socenywa said last night: “Doctors say there is no progress and he is still in a critical condition.”

Earlier yesterday, an inspection was held at the site of the university accident to address the ongoing problem of reckless taxi drivers.

DA councillor Gustav Rautenbach told onlookers at the site inspection that Kruger‘s condition had deteriorated.

“One dead person (Vanessa Baldwin, who was hit by a taxi and died eight years ago) is more than enough, but now we are sitting with a situation where the other student is brain-dead,” he said.

Rautenbach then urged municipal officials, the university and security officers to “stop the lip service” and start installing traffic lights, speed restriction humps and traffic circles, and to deploy more traffic officers at the three “danger points” at the access road to the university‘s main campus.

Cape Recife High School principal Mike Nel said a barrier to block vehicles from driving over the pavement between University Way and the school in Admiralty Way was also needed.

Municipal safety and security director Howard Hans said more traffic officers and police would be sent to monitor the whole area with effect from today.

Another meeting, to include taxi associations, will be held on Tuesday. This will look at the installation of speed humps before the pedestrian crossing between the university and the student village as well as traffic lights and a traffic circle at the intersection of Admiralty Way and University Way.

University spokesman Roslyn Baatjies said: “The thoughts and prayers of the NMMU community are with Jason Kruger‘s parents and siblings.”