MEDIA STATEMENT

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR VICTIMS OF LADYSMITH ROAD CRASH

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S'bu Ndebele has expressed his condolences to the families of the eleven (11) people who were killed in the road crash near Ladysmith in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands last Friday and has re-iterated his department*s commitment to reducing the carnage on the province's roads.

"We will do everything possible to reduce the carnage on our roads and to assist the families of these victims. In this particular instance, the Department has assisted these families with a marquee, transport and meals.

Our officials will be also assisting them in obtaining compensation from the Road Accident Fund," Ndebele said.

The Ladysmith Tragedy happened at a time when the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is doing its best to put an end to these terrible incidents. We have done all in our capacity to put in place programmes that will ensure the reduction of road carnage in KwaZulu-Natal. We have recently launched the Siyabona Bonakala (See and Be Seen) Programme and our Mpimpa Hotline.

The crash occurred last Friday evening along the N11 near Ladysmith when the driver of a truck veered onto the opposite side of the road and collided with four other vehicles. Eleven people were killed and twelve others were admitted to the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital with various injuries.

Members of the Transport Portfolio Committee together with senior officials from the Transport Department visited the scene of the collision as well as the injured in hospital on Monday. A memorial service for these victims is being held today at the Cornfield Hall in Umtshezi near Estcourt.

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