Acting President Jeff Radebe has expressed shock and sadness following the death of 27 people in a fatal collision in Field’s Hill, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday evening.
Several more people sustained injuries when an articulated truck collided with four fully loaded taxis and a light motor vehicle on the corners of Fields Hill (M13) and Richmond Road in Pinetown at about 7:00 pm.
“The loss of such a high number of people, some of them breadwinners, is painful and has affected so many households negatively.
“We urge road users, especially drivers, to exercise caution on the roads, especially when carrying passengers.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased and wish those in hospital a speedy recovery,” said Radebe, who has already briefed President Jacob Zuma, who is currently attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Russia.
Last weekend, another fatal crash claimed the lives of 10 people, including seven young maidens, returning from the annual Reed Dance in Nongoma. Seven more people died in another fatal crash on the N2 between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.
IFP Spokesperson on Transport, Mr Petros Sithole MP, said, “We are shocked and distraught by yesterday’s accident in KwaZulu Natal. We were still in shock and mourning the death of the 7 maidens from Umzumbe, and the 2 women travelling with them, as they returned from the Royal Reed Dance ceremony last weekend. Now barely a week later another tragic accident has happened.”
The IFP sympathizes with the families that have lost their loved ones. “We wish them strength and comfort in this difficult time. We call on the KwaZulu Natal Government to assist the families with the burial of their loved ones, to give them a dignified send off,” said Sithole.
Sithole added, “If the truck driver and the company are found responsible for the accident, as it seems the truck was not roadworthy, they should be held liable and be charged.”
“We hope the Minister in cooperation with the KwaZulu Natal Transport MEC, Mr Willies Mchunu, will come up with a plan to curb these avoidable tragedies in the province,” concluded Sithole.
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