At least 15 people have been killed, six in a boating accident and nine in a mini bus taxi road crash, over the past 24 hours.
This morning Saturday, 20 November 2010, nine people including three school children were killed and several others injured in a mini bus taxi road crash at Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape.
Yesterday Friday, 19 November 2010, six people drowned in a boating accident at Witbank Dam in Mpumalanga. According to the South African Maritime Safety Agency (SAMSA), an agency of the Department of Transport, 21 people were at a party on board a ferry at Witbank Dam. The vessel flipped over and five people drowned immediately. The sixth managed to break free and attempted to swim but later also drowned.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in these accidents. “We want to convey condolences to the families and relatives of all those who lost their lives in these accidents and wish those injured a speedy recovery. SAMSA, in collaboration with the South African Police Water Wing, are investigating the boating accident at Witbank Dam. This incident comes barely days after three children drowned last Sunday, 14 November 2010 in a boating accident on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
“An independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists are also investigating the mini bus taxi road crash at Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape.
“As government, we will not compromise on safety in any mode of transport be it air, road, rail or water. As we head towards the December holidays, we are intensifying our safety programmes and enforcement in order to ensure safety in all modes of transport. We also call on transport operators and all citizens to be responsible and make safety their top priority,” said Minister Ndebele.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
