KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu has learned with shock of the death of six people on the N2, Port Dunford outside eMpangeni yesterday (19/11/11). Four people were from a bakkie which was travelling from Port Shepstone to eMpangeni and are believed to be members of the same church. The other two were travelling in a Toyota Fortuner from Hluhlluwe to the King Shaka International Airport.
A local driver and a female tourist from Germany died while a male tourist is fighting for his life in Richards Bay hospital. Preliminary investigation indicates that one driver lost control that led to a head-on collision.
It is however alleged that bad weather conditions contributed to the accident.
Mchunu said it is unacceptable that we are losing people on the road when the whole world is commemorating World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims.
“It is painful that today the whole world is commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims but here we have such gruesome fatalities. I want to appeal to motorists to be cautious in this rainy and slippery weather conditions."
The department will continue to intensify road safety education under our new campaign Operation Vali’ngozi. We will also ensure maximum deployment of traffic officers to deal harshly with transgressors on the road. I also send my condolences to the families who lost their relatives and a speedy recovery to those in hospitals,” said Mchunu.
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