Transport Minister thanks the cooperation of road users during the easter weekend
The Minister of Transport, Dr. Blade Nzimande, wishes to thank the commitment and cooperation by road users who heeded to government’s call to obey the rules of the road during this Easter weekend.
“I wish to applaud these patriotic compatriots for putting the interests of the country first by obeying the rules of the road and by following the guidance of our Law Enforcement Officers,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said that from 18 - 21 April 2019, there were eighty (80) crashes where deaths occurred, which indicates a decrease of 40%, as compared with the same period in 2018. Indeed, we still would not like to see even a single soul being lost on our roads.
“A high decrease on absolute figures has been recorded for KwaZulu-Natal with thirteen (13) fatal crashes, followed by Gauteng with eleven (11) fatal crashes,” confirmed Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande added that “There were 104 fatalities recorded since the 18-21 April 2019, with a decrease of 41% from the previous Easter period. A high decrease on the absolute figures has been recorded for KwaZulu-Natal with twenty-six (26), followed by Gauteng with twelve (12) fatalities”.
Minister Nzimande said, “The above shows that with determination, observance of the basic rules of road safety,
and co-operation between government and road users, we can indeed defeat the scourge of road crashes”. As President Nelson Mandela once said, “It always seems impossible, until it is done”.
As from 18 to 21 April, provinces recorded the following fatalities; Gauteng (12), KwaZulu-Natal (21), Western Cape (9), Eastern Cape (9), Free State (2), Mpumalanga (14), Limpopo (27), North West (8), and Northern Cape (2).
Minister Nzimande further sends his gratitude to all the MECs of Transport, Security and Liaison, MEC’s of Health, Mayors and all Road Safety Ambassadors, including Faith Based Organisations and Business, who partnered and cooperated with the Department of Transport and its entities during this Easter period.
“Their resilience and combat readiness fortified our determination to steadfastly roll-out our road safety programmes, focusing on drunk driving, road safety education and awareness”. Minister Nzimande said.
Minister Nzimande appeals to all road users to further cooperate with law enforcement authorities and emergency service personnel who will remain deployed in all known hazardous locations throughout the country as South Africa heads to the Freedom Day and the Workers Day celebrations.
“On behalf of the Government of South Africa, we send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives on our roads and wish all those recuperating in hospitals and at home a speedy
recovery. I have directed the Road Accident Fund to provide the families of the deceased and the injured with the necessary support and care during this difficult time,” said Minister Nzimande.
