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The Minister of Transport, Dr Blade Nzimande, calls on all road users to be on alert and avoid possibilities to be involved in road carnages.
This follows yet two other horrific crashes that took place yesterday evening where twenty-one (21) people died in separate collisions in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
These crashes follow the massive crash that took place last Friday on the N1 in Limpopo where 28 people died.
Fifteen (15) people died in a crash which involved four (4) vehicles on the N4 between Mbombela and Malelane. Two trucks, a sedan and a 22 seater bus were involved in this collision.
Six (6) people also died on the N1 in Modimolle, Limpopo when two cars got involved in a head-on collision.
“Although law enforcement officers are deployed throughout the length and breadth of the South African road network, I appeal for maximum cooperation from all road users. Motorists must be responsible and observe the ABC (Awareness, behaviour and choice) of road safety,” said Minister Nzimande.
Whilst investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crashes, 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.
The Minister further said that government is investing a lot of resources to reduce road crashes and fatalities but government alone cannot win this war if road users are not obeying the rules of the road.
“This trend of massive clashes robs families and our country of young men and women who are playing an important role in the social welfare of their families and the country at large,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande further said “We cannot continue on this trajectory of counting bodies on our roads daily”.
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 families and friends of the deceased and wishes all those admitted to hospital a speedy recovery.