On Thursday, 17 September 2009 the Department of Transport and Safety held a Siyabakhumbula Road Safety Awareness at Shinta Village in Mount Frere to remember those who passed away due to accidents caused by stray animals and concurrently educate communities about the danger stray animals inflict to road users.
The road between Qumbu and Kokstad is regarded as the stray animal hazardous location as per the Road Traffic Management (RTMC) assessment of April 2009. According to accident reports, at least 51 lives were lost unnecessary on this route between January 2009 and August 2009.
The Zuma family was among those who lost a huge number of loved ones. On 15 January this year Zweli Zuma and his four children died in an accident caused by stray animal.
Councillor Ngalonkulu applauded the Zuma family for the courage of honouring the event in the area where the blood of their loved ones was shed and asked them not to curse the area. She also appreciated the step taken by the department in a bid to reduce accidents and promised to give support to this program. She condemned the irresponsible community members who sleep at night without knowing the where about of their stocks.
Alfred Nzo district Manager Mr Ndawonde, said the department has a responsibility to ensure the safety of people in our roads. As 2010 approaches government is busy improving infrastructure, the Department of Transport is now busy constructing T15 to join R56, the construction of these road will cause the fast flow of cars that could results in a number of accidents and therefore people need to be educated about road safety issues.
Mrs B Nodada, a Member of Parliament promised that as the government they will to do more to better lives of all, as ruling party promised before elections. The community has failed in a number of times to take care of their stocks, hence the department has established provincial task team to take care of animals in our roads, and appealed to communities to corporate with this team.
A member of the Zuma family thanked department for inviting her family to an event of this nature. “It seriously makes me feel bitter that the owner of the cow that caused the accident has not been found, I wish people could stop covering for criminals,” said the member. She continued that the cow has widowed someone and left some with new name of orphan, learners without teacher, teachers without valued colleague, sport fraternity without administrator and old man without son to look after.
Enquiries:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Tel: 043 642 4393
Cell: 082 442 2388
E-mail: ncedo.kumbaca@dot.ecprov.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
21 September 2009
