Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of more than 40 people killed on the country’s roads during the week.
"We want to convey our condolences to the families and relatives of all those killed in these road crashes. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We wish the injured a speedy recovery. Officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) will be visiting these families to provide necessary assistance to them during their time of bereavement. The Department of Transport has also dispatched a team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of these crashes,” said the minister.
Early this morning, 5 February, eleven people were killed and two seriously injured after a truck and taxi collided head-on on the N1 between Polokwane and Matoks.
On Tuesday, 2 February twelve people were killed in a multiple-vehicle pile-up on the N1 North outside Polokwane.
On Sunday, 31 January, twelve people were killed and several others injured in an accident involving five vehicles in Groblersdal in Limpopo. On Monday evening, 1 February 2010, six people were killed in a road crash involving four vehicles on the N3 near Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal.
On Tuesday, 2 February, Minister Ndebele instructed law enforcement agencies to step up law enforcement operations and increase high visibility patrols. Barely a day later, on Wednesday, 3 February, traffic officers in KwaZulu-Natal arrested the driver of a mini-bus taxi who crammed 49 school children into his taxi, and was five times over the legal alcohol limit.
Minister Ndebele has once again called on all road users to play their part in reducing the carnage on the roads. “Later this month (February), we will be hosting a Road Safety Summit. We call upon all interested organisations and individuals to join us at this summit in order to address the carnage on our roads. Together, we must all do much more to reduce the economic and emotional devastation caused by road crashes and road deaths. We, therefore, call on vehicle manufacturers, public and private donors, non-governmental organisations, the religious sector, victims of road crashes, families of those killed and injured in road crashes, experts and in fact every South African to partner with government in working towards safer roads and vehicles in greater investment to prevent road traffic injuries. The millions of people who use our roads everyday deserve safer roads.
“Community Road Safety Councils will soon be part of every municipality in the country. We want as many stakeholders as possible to actively participate in these Road Safety Councils, which will empower communities to identify road safety challenges and interventions in their respective localities and to act as ambassadors for road safety. The Road Safety Councils will also provide assistance to communities to access the benefits provided by the Road Accident Fund. If we work in harmony, side by side, we will achieve our common goal of safer roads and responsible road users,” the Minister said.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
Issued by: Department of Transport
5 February 2010
