 
MEDIA ALERT
EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED IN ROAD CRASHKwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Safety and Security Mr. Bheki Cele has expressed his condolences to the families of eight people, including a five-year-old child who were killed in a horrific road crash at about 9h30 today on the R66 near Eshowe. According to initial police reports, it is alleged that the driver of a Nissan bakkie carrying eleven passengers on board was travelling on the R66 from Eshowe to Melmoth on their way to a funeral. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle near the Shakaland turn-off and veered onto the opposite side of the road colliding head-on with a Toyota bakkie travelling in the opposite direction. A Ford car was also involved in the crash. Eight people from the Nissan bakkie, including the driver and the five-year old child were killed instantly. Seven other people sustained various injuries and were admitted to the Eshowe hospital. "This crash once again highlights the danger of transporting passengers in a bakkie. Eleven passengers crammed into a small Nissan bakkie is totally inhumane and unacceptable. Bakkies were primarily designed for the transportation of goods and not human beings. In the past week alone officers from our Public Transport Enforcement Unit (PTEU) impounded more than twenty bakkies and arrested these drivers for illegally transporting passengers. These enforcement operations against illegal bakkie operators are set to increase," Cele said Eight counts of culpable homicide are being investigated by the police. Police and traffic officials are still busy on scene gathering evidence that will assist in ascertaining the exact cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Cele has appealed to motorists to exercise extreme caution on the province's roads during the weekend as traffic volumes are set to increase with events such as the Tri-Nations rugby match and the Inkosi Luthuli celebrations tomorrow. "Whilst we have deployed all our resources to ensure the safety of all road users, I want to make an earnest appeal for individuals to do their part by obeying all road rules. There will be several roadblocks and other enforcement exercises all over the province and no mercy will be shown to offenders," Cele said.
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