EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED IN ROAD CRASHES

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S’bu Ndebele has once again called on all motorists to drive with care and obey road rules following the recent spate of road crashes which claimed at least eight lives in the past twenty four hours in the province.

In the first crash, which happened in the early hours of this morning, four people including the driver were killed when their car ploughed into the side of a horse and trailer on the M27 near Umdloti in Durban.

From evidence at the scene of this collision, police suspect that the car was allegedly driven at a high speed prior to the crash. The truck driver escaped unhurt.

In the second collision which occurred at about 05H15 this morning, a truck driver and two assistants were killed instantly when their truck transporting cattle left the road and overturned down a thirty-metre embankment. Scores of cattle had to be put down by police after suffering serious injuries. The accident occurred on the R56 about thirty kilometres outside Ixopo in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

In the third crash one person was killed and eleven others suffered serious injuries when the bakkie they were traveling in, veered out of control and overturned after the right rear tyre burst. This incident happened at about 07H30 this morning on the N2 (south bound) near Avoca in Durban.

Minister Ndebele has called for an immediate investigation into the recent spate of crashes in the province. "Once again, this unnecessary loss of lives on our roads is unacceptable and it seems that tougher law enforcement measures are required to force road users to change their attitudes towards road safety. Road users refuse to exercise responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others on the road and we cannot afford to lose more lives at an enormous financial cost, let alone the pain and suffering endured by the families of the victims. We need to desperately stop the on going carnage that is ravaging our people. Many children are left without parents and others without friends and families. As we approach the Easter holidays, I once again appeal to all road users to help us stop road deaths by being more vigilant and law abiding or be prepared to face the consequences of your actions," Mr Ndebele said.

Meanwhile, following last week Thursday’s horror taxi crash that left six people, including five school pupils dead, Minister Ndebele this week requested senior officials from his department to visit the families of the deceased.

The main purpose of this visit was to offer support to these families and to provide assistance in respect of the funeral arrangements.

The collision, which occurred on the N2 near Izingolweni on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, resulted in the deaths of the following persons:

• Msebenzelwa Stanford Jama – 44 years old;

• Sifiso Thomson Jama – 25 years old;

• Thembinkosi Jama – 13 years old;

• Nokubonga Jama – 10 years old;

• Sanele Chiliza – 6 years old; and

• Khanyisile Chiliza – 9 years old.

The owners of the truck that was involved in this crash have undertaken to pay for all the funeral costs. At this stage a memorial service for the victims is scheduled to take place tomorrow and a mass funeral on Sunday, 24^th March 2002 at Izingolweni.

The Izingolweni Community Road Safety Council has also been a pillar of strength to members of this community during this time of bereavement.

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