Transport Minister, Honourable Dipuo Peters has expressed shock and sadness at the loss of lives resulting from various crashes that occurred over the weekend in South Africa.
In one horrific crash on the R66 Nkwalini, Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 1 September, preliminary reports indicate that the driver of a bus returning from a Reed Dance ceremony in Nongoma lost control of the vehicle and crashed, resulting in the deaths of 10 people who were participating in the ceremony. Scores of other passengers in the bus sustained multiples injuries during the crash.
In the Eliotdale area near Good Hope in Mthatha, Eastern Cape on the DR18031 the driver of a Toyota Venture type vehicle lost control and the vehicle overturned resulting in 6 fatalities and 11 serious injuries.
At approximately 23h30 on the N2 between King Williamstown and East London about 5 km from Berlin, Eastern Cape Province, three vehicles were involved in a crash resulting in five people killed and five people seriously injured. Preliminary reports indicate that two vehicles collided head-on and the third vehicle drove into the wreckage of the other two.
In another incident, on the N6 between Reddersburg and Bloemfontein in the Free State, five vehicles were involved in a crash. A head-on crash occurred between two vehicles and then three other vehicles crashed into the wreckage. The crash resulted in seven fatalities.
This morning, Monday 2 September 2013 at approximately 5h15 on the R63 at the Hanover turnoff between Bisho and Komga in the Eastern Cape a head-rear-end crash occurred between a Toyota Venture and a stationary truck that resulted in 8 fatalities and 3 serious injuries.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation has since dispatched teams of crash and incident investigation and reconstruction specialists to determine the exact causes of the crashes.
Minister Peters has called for a speedy conclusion of the investigations so that the authorities can get to the bottom of the causes of these horrific crashes. The Minister has described the weekend crashes as tragic, monumental occurrences that should call everyone to action regarding safety on our roads.
“Having just recently unveiled the department’s integrated 365-days Road Safety Programme in August, we are very saddened by this loss of so many of our people’s lives.
We reiterate our call to motorists and all road users to be vigilant on the roads at all times. Our heartfelt and sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased and we wish all those who are injured a speedy recovery,” said Minister Peters.
Minister Peters says the Department of Transport will soon bring under one roof all role players within the road safety space in order to come up with bold action plans to curb the carnage.
“This carnage on our roads must be brought to a stop. All of us as South Africans have to join hands and bring it to a stop. We need to form and sustain partnerships between government and civil society to win this war against the road carnage.
Our traffic law enforcement officers must remain vigilant in their enforcement of road traffic rules, without fear or favour. If vehicles are found to be un-roadworthy, they must be taken off the road to save the lives of our people" said Minister Peters.
The Road Accident Fund has already begun to assist the families of the deceased and injured with the necessary support during this difficult period. As a country and as road users and stakeholders, we can realise the objective of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 campaign of reducing road deaths by 50% if we play our role and join hands with government” concluded the Minister Peters.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
