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20 years in jail for killing kids

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A Cape Town taxi driver has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of murder. He was taking a minibus of children to school, when he overtook a line of cars which were waiting at a level crossing, and a train struck his taxi, resulting in the deaths of 10 children. Four others were seriously injured.

News24 reported that:
“Western Cape High Court Judge Robert Henney imposed a 12-year prison sentence for each of the 10 murder charges, to run concurrently. This came to 12 years in prison for the 10 murders.
For the four attempted murder charges, the judge handed down a six-year prison sentence for each. Four of the six years on each charge would run concurrently with 12-year sentence for murder. This added in effect another eight years - bringing the total jail term to 20 years.”

The judge also rebuked Humphreys for his refusal to accept responsibility and his “lack of respect” for the safety of others, and revoked Humphrey’s driver’s licence with immediate effect.

Taxis and kids: A killer combination

Taxi drivers are often blamed for overloading, dangerous driving and for having poorly maintained vehicles. Children being transported to schools in these vehicles are rarely buckled in.

The tragic incident rocked the local community, with some suggesting that it was just an accident, and that the driver, Jacob Humphreys, wasn’t guilty, while others are angered at the length of the sentence, calling it insultingly short.

Family and friends of the accident victims have been conducting protests throughout the trial, and can now attempt to resume their lives, knowing that this particular taxi driver will not be allowed to disrespect other road users ever again.

Do you think that 20 years in prison is a fair sentence?
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