The Minister of Transport Ms Dipuo Peters expresses concern at the spate of major crashes in South Africa this week and urges road users to behave responsibly on our roads. This follows the death of 10 people in major crashes that took place throughout the country since Sunday, 15 March 2015. Four people were killed and 33 injured in a major crashes that took place today.
The four were killed in a crash that took place in Leeu Gamka, approximately 50 kilometres before Beaufort West in the Karoo, Western Cape. The crash happened when a truck and bus collided head on. In another incident yesterday, Wednesday 17 March 2015, 20 school children were injured when a light delivery vehicle transporting them overturned in Gamalakhe near Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. Two children sustained serious injuries and 18 had minor injuries.
On Monday six people were killed when a minibus taxi and light delivery vehicle on the N14 between Venterdorp and Krugersdorp. It is alleged that the driver of the light delivery vehicle was in the wrong lane and collided with the taxi when attempted to move back to the right lane.
The crashes are under investigation by the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African Police Service. Minister Peters expresses her heartfelt condolences to the families of all those who lost their loved ones on the roads this week. The Minister calls on all South Africans to join hands in fighting the scourge of road carnages in the country.
Minister Peters recomits her determination to roll-out a 365 days road safety programme focused on road safety education, enforcement, engineering and evaluation. The Minister calls on all sectors of the communities including the freight industry, the taxi industry, faith based organisation and non-governmental organisation to mobilise their members to assist in inculcating a culture of respect for the rules of the road.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 072 566 0827
