The Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, is concerned about the spike in road crashes involving public transport.
This follows a minibus taxi which allegedly overturned on the R33 between Greytown and Msinga in KwaZulu Natal.
The crash resulted in fifteen (15) fatalities with three people seriously injured. It is alleged that the driver of the minibus taxi lost control over the vehicle and the vehicle left the road and rolled down a hill.
This crash follows a horrific crash which took place on the 28th March at Satansnek, near Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape where thirteen (13) adults, including three children died.
Minister Nzimande confirms that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are conducting full mechanical investigations which involve determining the roadworthy status of the vehicles involved to establish if it contributed in any way to these crashes. “We will leave no stone unturned to establish the causes of these crashes which claimed so many innocent lives,” said Minister Nzimande.
Whilst investigations are ongoing, Minister Nzimande instructed all traffic law enforcement officers to be on high alert, to patrol all known hazardous routes, to be visible and show no mercy to traffic law violations.
Minister Nzimande further said that although law enforcement officers are deployed throughout the length and breadth of the South African road network and also at known hazardous areas during this Easter period, the ultimate responsibility of road safety rests on the shoulders of all road users.
The Minister has enlisted the services of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to give the family of the deceased and the injured the necessary support and comfort.
Minister Nzimande sends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and wishes all those admitted to hospital
Read more on Arrive Alive
South Africa Today – Accidents
