Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe is deeply saddened and shocked following the loss of three lives as a result of a drowning incident in Nkangala last night.
It is reported that three people including a driver of a light delivery vehicle (LDV) drowned yesterday evening when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it went into Loopspruit River on R568 Road between Ekangala and KwaMhlanga. The diving unit of the police has retrieved the bodies of the three today.
It is believed that the occupants of the LDV were parents who were travelling with a friend on their return from dropping off their children in Kwaggafontein.
In another incident one person was killed while two others were critically injured when a double cab bakkie collided head on with a sedan on N4 between Machadodorp and Belfast last night. The driver of a bakkie, which was travelling from Belfast to Machadodorp, allegedly overtook another vehicle when he first collided with another bakkie before colliding head-on with a sedan. Three people, including the two bakkie drivers, who were critically injured were taken to a nearby hospital in Nelspruit. One passenger in the sedan died on the spot.
The police are investigating cases of culpable homicide, negligent and reckless driving. Shongwe has sent condolences to the bereaved families and he has also called on motorists to exercise due and diligence caution while driving.
The MEC says it is not only the responsibility of government to reduce accidents but road users have a role to play.
“Let us clamp down on road accidents in order to avoid unnecessary and loss of lives on our roads,” Shongwe concluded.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
