Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe has welcomed the arrest of a Light Delivery (LDV) vehicle driver that crashed into four learners at Masoyi’s car wash on Saturday, 16 March at 20h00.
Police reported that the speeding bakkie whose driver was under the influence of alcohol lost control and hit all four youths that died instantly.
The driver was arrested and faces four charges of culpable homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol. The community of Masoyi burnt the driver’s vehicle beyond recognition.
Early this month, four other youngsters who were pedestrians were killed by speeding vehicles in Bushbuckridge.
MEC Shongwe has called for harsh sentencing and suspension of the drivers license if found guilty, saying that the actions of the driver show that drivers are not complying with road regulations.
“We can no longer afford to have road users who continue to think only for themselves by disregarding traffic rules and regulations and causing unnecessary accidents on our road.”
The Department of Justice must harshly punish traffic offenders so that messages could be sent out that irresponsible driving can longer be tolerated and lives must be saved,” Shongwe said.
He further called on holiday makers who will be travelling week as the school closes to be more cautious on the road as traffic volumes would start increasing.
Shongwe has warned that traffic officers and the police would be alert to ensure that traffic safety is enhanced and that law breakers are instantly dealt with.
Meanwhile the MEC has sent condolences to the families of the deceased.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
