Watch: reckless driver caught on video transporting children in boot on N2 near Chatsworth

A CONCERNED Durban motorist has captured disturbing footage of young children packed into a vehicle's boot while travelling on the N2 highway, near Chatsworth.

Despite reporting the dangerous situation, he claimed emergency services dismissed his concerns.

The incident occurred on the N2 southbound, heading into Chatsworth.

According to the man who recorded the video, the vehicle was packed with children believed to be around five years old, including several crammed into the boot.

“I was at the robots, coming off the Higginson Highway when I noticed a vehicle next to me, overloaded with children,” said the man, who wanted to remain anonymous.

“I was even more stunned to see that there were children also packed in the boot. All the children were about five years old. They were popping their heads up for air. All the other motorists could see them but no-one did anything.”

He the darkly tinted windows of the vehicle was slightly opened.

Alarmed by the situation, he decided to record the scene on his phone.

“I decided to video it, but the driver eventually saw me. I saw him going into Havenside Drive and I followed him. We both stopped our vehicles and I was getting off to  speak to him, when he sped off.”

The man said he chose not to pursue the driver further, fearing it could place the children at even greater risk. 

“I did not want to agitate him. That would have meant he would drive even faster and the children would be in danger,” he said.

Instead, he contacted the the Metro Emergency Call Centre to report the incident, but claimed his concerns were dismissed. 

“I decided to be pro-active and report the matter to the Metro Emergency Line, but the lady on the phone was not interested. She did not care. She did not take my report down nor did she give me a reference number. I was appalled at how little our law enforcement cares.”

The man said what troubled him most was the apparent complicity of other adults. 

“The most concerning part was that the children were so young. I am sure their parents or other adults, besides the driver, would have seen them getting into the vehicle and the boot but did nothing to stop it. It was a very irresponsible and scary scene, especially coming on the back of the taxi accident that killed 13 school children,” said the man. 

“Imagine if he pressed his brakes hard. Those children would have been thrown out of the boot and onto the road. He drove on the N2 with the children in the boot and no-one even noticed or cared. It is very sad,” he said.

Responding to the incident, Durban Metro Police Service communications officer Colonel Boysie Zungu confirmed that the matter would be investigated.

“The member who received the complaint was supposed to inform the members on the ground. This issue is subject to investigation. What the driver did with the children was dangerous and illegal. The boot is for goods and not people,” said Zungu. 

The POST