The Department of Transport has dispatched an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of the road crash, which claimed 11 lives in Limpopo yesterday, Sunday, 1 August 2010 evening.
According to the Limpopo Department of Transport, 11 people were killed and 46 injured when a bus belonging to Sekhukhune Express overturned and rolled down a 40-metre embankment. The crash occurred on the George's Valley Road between Tzaneen and Polokwane at about 6:30pm yesterday.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of those killed. "We convey condolences to the families of those killed in the bus crash in Limpopo yesterday and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Through the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), we have dispatched an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of this crash. Officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) have also been dispatched to provide necessary assistance to the affected families.
"As government, as part of our road safety strategy we are currently intensifying our road safety programme through various initiatives with regards to education, enforcement, engineering and evaluation in conjunction with provinces and municipalities. These include the newly-established national traffic law enforcement unit, the national rolling enforcement plan, 1 000 road blocks per day as well as the implementation of annual vehicle testing to ensure vehicle roadworthiness. A specific focus is the fitness of public transport vehicles and drivers to prioritise law enforcement of public transport. The RTMC is also working on the roll-out of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences.
"We are also involving more stakeholders in our road safety efforts including the religious community, business and civil society. Community road safety councils are also playing a more active role in local road safety issues.
"We want to encourage more ownership of road safety efforts at provincial, local and community levels. No other matter should be allowed to sidetrack us from saving lives on our roads," said Minister Ndebele.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
