Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the family and relatives of Deputy Health Minister Dr Molefi Sefularo who was killed in a car crash earlier today (Monday, 5 April 2010) on the N4 between Hartbeespoort Dam and Pretoria.
“We want to convey our condolences to the family and relatives of our Deputy Minister of Health Dr Molefi Sefularo who was killed in a car crash on the N4 between Hartbeespoort Dam and Pretoria earlier today (Monday, 5 April 2010).
“As colleagues serving together in government, we worked very closely and Dr Sefularo will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during these difficult moments. The Department of Transport has dispatched a team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the investigation of this crash,” said the minister.
Minister Ndebele has also conveyed condolences to the families of all those killed in road crashes over the Easter weekend.
“We want to convey our condolences to the families and relatives of all those killed in road crashes over the Easter weekend. We wish those injured a speedy recovery,” the minister said.
Between 14h00 and 15h00 today, 5 April, more than 2 300 vehicles per hour were recorded at the DeHoek Toll, 2 100 vehicles at the Wilge Toll, 1 900 vehicles at the Tugela Toll, 2 600 vehicles at the Mooi River Toll and 1 500 vehicles at the Marianhill Toll.
According to preliminary reports, road crashes reported since 1 April 2010 include five people killed on the R61 between Aberdeen and Beaufort West in the Eastern Cape earlier today, 5 April, four people killed on the N1 near Colesburg in the Northern Cape on 2 April, six people killed on the R63 between Pearston and Somerset East in the Eastern Cape on 1 April, five people killed between Warden and Roadside in the Free State on 1 April and seven people killed on Moloto Road in Pretoria in Gauteng on 1 April.
As part of the national rolling enforcement plan, since last Thursday, 1 April, hundreds of motorists have been arrested and thousands fined for various traffic offences. In KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape alone, more than 330 drunk drivers were arrested in just four days, from 1 to 4 April. More than 1 000 vehicles that are not roadworthy have been removed from the country’s roads since 1 March 2010.
“With rain forecast over most of the country for the next few days, we call upon drivers to drive with their headlamps on at all times, reduce their speed, increase their following distance and ensure that all occupants in the vehicle wear their seatbelts. Motorists are also urged to exercise caution in areas where there is high pedestrian activity.
“Whilst law enforcement agencies will continue to be out in full force, responsible citizens do not need to be policed all the time. Voluntary compliance to road rules will go a long way towards reducing the carnage on our roads,” said the minister.
In the Limpopo province last night(4 April) alone, 131 motorists were fined for vehicle defects, 110 for moving violations, 32 for speeding, 56 for driving licences and professional driving permits, 33 for vehicle licences, 42 for passenger overloading, four for public transport permits, two for drunk driving and four vehicles impounded.
In the Eastern Cape from 1 April to 3 April, 214 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving and 29 drivers for other offences, 608 drivers fined for various traffic offences, 31 vehicles that are not roadworthy discontinued from use, four warrants of arrest executed, five government vehicles confiscated for being operated without proper authorisation, six buses without permits impounded and one stolen vehicle recovered.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 116 drunk drivers were arrested from 1 to 3 April. Other violations included 1 079 motorists fined for driving without valid driving licences, 883 for not wearing seatbelts, 716 for driving unlicensed vehicles and another 14 for inconsiderate driving. 34 warrants of arrest were executed and 123 vehicles were suspended for being un-roadworthy.
Several motorists were arrested and detained for speeding. These include a minibus taxi driver arrested on 4 April at Dundee for travelling at 155 kilometres per hour and detained at the Elangsla agte police station, the driver of a Mercedes Benz also arrested on 4 April for travelling at 177 kilometres per hour on the N2 near Park Rynie and detained at Scottburgh police station, the driver of a minibus taxi arrested on 3 April on the N2 near Park Rynie for travelling at 161 kilometres per hour and detained at Scottburgh police station, the driver of a Siat Cupra arrested on 3 April on the N2 near Park Rynie for travelling at 202 kilometres per hour, drinking and driving and failing to stop and detained at the Scottburgh police station, the driver of a VW Polo arrested on 2 April on the N2 near Umkomaas for travelling at 177 kilometres per hour and detained at Umkomaas police station.
In the Mpumalanga province, more than four drivers were arrested and detained for speeds in excess of 180 kilometres per hour.
In Gauteng, more than 30 commuter buses and 50 minibus taxis were found to be un-roadworthy and discontinued from operating.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
Issued by: Department of Transport
5 April 2010
