A team of accident and incident reconstruction experts was dispatched to the scene of the accident by the Road Traffic Management Corporation for investigations. Preliminary information available indicated that the midibus approached from a side road junction from the left when driving from Ogies and allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign when joining the R545, colliding with the truck on the right side of the midibus.
According to early reports, 8 people also sustained serious injuries during the collision.
The Minister has conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery. In a statement released yesterday, 6 September 2011, the ministry indicated that about 50 000 scholar transport vehicles have been stopped and checked across the country during the past week.
This followed the Minister's instruction to law enforcement officers to stop and check every bus and taxi on South Africa's roads, following the deaths of at least 76 people in August in eight separate crashes involving public transport vehicles.
The Minister has reiterated his call to all road users to use the roads responsibly and partner with the department to stop the carnage on South Africa's roads.
From 31 August to 5 September, 48 420 scholar transport vehicles have been stopped and checked, with 210 discontinued from use for being un-roadworthy and 10 824 fines issued.
The Minister has urged all public transport operators and motorists to ensure that their passengers are transported safely at all times.
