MEDIA STATEMENT

11 PEOPLE KILLED IN TAXI CRASH

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele has ordered a top-level investigation into the road crash which claimed the lives of eleven people and left eight others injured on the R34 between Empangeni and Richards Bay in northern KZN at about 18h30 today.

According to initial police reports, it is alleged that the driver of a tanker was travelling from Richards Bay to Empangeni and the driver of a taxi was travelling in the opposite direction near the Esikhawini intersection when the crash occurred. One of the drivers apparently lost control of his vehicle and veered onto the opposite side of the road resulting in a head-on collision.

Eleven people were killed instantly and eight others were injured. The injured were admitted to various hospitals in Empangeni. The driver of the truck sustained slight injures. At this stage it is unknown whether the driver of the taxi was amongst the deceased as the taxi is a mangled wreck and emergency services are still busy on scene.

“This tragedy happened at a time when the KZN Department of Transport is doing its best to put an end to these terrible crashes. We have done all in our capacity to put in place programmes that will ensure the reduction of road carnage in KwaZulu-Natal. However, we need the cooperation of every single road user in order to be successful,” Cele said

Meanwhile, Cele has also appealed to members of the community who may have any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators who mercilessly murdered two young sisters to please come forward with such information.

Kholiwe Sithole (10 years) and Rebecca Sithole (8 years) from Paulpietersburg went missing on 27 July 2004 and their mutilated bodies were discovered this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cele has also expressed his condolences to the Sithole family and is expected to visit them as well.

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