Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of the nine people killed in a road crash involving a bus in KwaZulu-Natal earlier today, 22 August 2011.
According to KwaZulu-Natal Traffic Authorities, nine people were killed, and 55 others sustained multiple injuries, in a collision between a truck and bus on the N3 near Estcourt in the early hours of this morning.
"We want to convey condolences to the families of those killed in the road crash near Escourt this morning (22 August), and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Most of us know someone who has been affected by a road crash, either by being injured themselves or through suffering a bereavement or injury to a family member or friend.
Every day, at least 40 people in South Africa and 3 500 people around the world leave home and never return because they have been suddenly, violently, killed in a road crash. These tragic deaths and the misery and grief they cause are not inevitable. They can be prevented, if measures are taken by all of us to ensure safe roads. This Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 is our opportunity to make our roads safer wherever we live," said Minister Ndebele.
Meanwhile, Minister Ndebele is meeting with the country's nine Transport MECs and senior Transport Officials in Cape Town today and tomorrow (22 and 23 August) where South Africa's Road Safety Action Plan is amongst the issues to be discussed.
As part of the new National Rolling Enforcement Plan (NREP), from 1 October 2010 to 31 July 2011, 11,745,526 vehicles and drivers have been checked, 4,847,526 fines issued for various traffic offences, 17,758 drunk drivers arrested and 46 843 un-roadworthy vehicles (the majority of which are buses and taxis) discontinued from use.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
