Five people were killed after an accident involving a Quantum and a Condor on the R23 road, approximately 26 kilometres from Standerton towards Val in Mpumalanga. Three of the victims died on the scene while the other two died at the hospital.
The accident happened at 19h40 on Saturday, 11 June 2011. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the two vehicles was overtaking a truck and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. Eight people were seriously injured during the incident and were taken to the Standerton Hospital.
Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison, MEC Vusi Shongwe said that his department would strengthen its road safety campaigns to enhance drivers’ awareness about the importance of obeying the law and becoming more vigilant on the roads.
“Those who fail to heed to the call or disregard the law will be arrested by our law enforcement agencies, hence I am calling for the police to charge drivers who are found to have crossed the line,” said Shongwe.
He has called on drivers to exercise more caution when using roads to avoid carnages that constantly lead to unnecessary loss of lives on South African roads.
He said government is spending millions of rands on road accidents and more critically families are needlessly losing their loved ones due to accidents that could have been avoided had extra care been taken.
“Our province needs drivers who will always value human lives because these accidents are not only costing the state money, but they rob many families of breadwinners, children, husbands and their loved ones,” Shongwe said.
Shongwe was speaking after visiting two of the five bereaved families in Sakhile today, 12 June 2011. The MEC, who was accompanied by Lekwa Local Municipality Mayor, Councilor Matshidiso Morajana, had earlier visited six victims of the accident at Standerton Hospital. He has sent condolences to the bereaved families and wished those who are injured a speedy recovery.
The accident happened hours after the Premier of the Province, Mr DD Mabuza and Shongwe attended a mass funeral service of eleven people who were killed last Sunday in an accident involving a bakkie and a Toyota venture in Piet Retief.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Source: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
