The Ministry of Transport has made a passionate plea to motorists and road users to exercise extreme caution on the roads following two horrific crashes in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces yesterday, 10 February 2014.
In one incident on the Punda Maria Road, 2km from Thoyandou Stadium in Limpoopo, a Scania bus, a Toyota minibus and VW Polo type vehicle were involved in the crash that resulted in nine fatalities and three serious injuries. Initial reports indicate that the Scania bus was overtaking vehicles when it collided head-on with the Toyota minibus and then also collided with the VW Polo.
All 9 occupants in the minibus, including the driver were killed and three people from the VW Polo were seriously injured. The Scania bus did not have any passengers.
In another incident in Mpumalanga, at approximately 14h00 on the N4 at Ngodwana, en route to Nelspruit, a truck and light delivery type vehicle collided head on resulting in six fatalities from the light delivery type vehicle.
Initial information obtained indicates that the driver of the light delivery vehicle veered over onto the traveling lane of the Truck resulting in the collision.
Transport Minister, Honourable Dipuo Peters has expressed sadness at the incidents and the loss of innocent lives.
“We are deeply saddened by these tragic occurrences. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased and we wish those who are injured a speedy recovery.” said Minister Peters. The carnage on our roads needs to stop and this we can achieve if we all work together and obey all the rules of the road - motorists, passengers and pedestrians alike. We all need to be extremely vigilant and cautious at all times on the road” added Minister Peters.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has since dispatched a team of crash and incident reconstruction and investigation experts to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
