MEDIA STATEMENT

SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED IN HORROR TAXI CRASH

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele has expressed shock and sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of six people who were killed at a horror crash involving a truck and a minibus taxi on the N11 Majuba Pass outside Newcastle.

“My sincere condolences goes to family members who have lost their loved ones, I again send a strong message to all taxi drivers that our people are not a bunch of load but somebody else’s family member”. I urge all drivers particularly truck and minibus drivers to keep to the rules of the road in order to avoid such major accidents that claim lives of innocent passengers”. Cele said

“The rate of accidents involving heavy motor vehicles in the province is ridiculously high and our law enforcement officers will double their efforts in ensuring safety of the people in the province” Cele added.

Preliminary reports have revealed that an accident occurred when the truck cut the corner at a sharp curve and collided head-on with a minibus bus taxi which was traveling in the opposite direction. The minibus taxi was carrying 12 passengers on board traveling from Newcastle to Volksrust.

Upon impact six people were killed instantly, five from the minibus taxi and the truck driver whilst seven others sustained serious injuries and have been admitted to Newcastle provincial hospital. One person died later in hospital and six others are reported to be in a stable but critical condition in hospital.

Acting Head of Department Mr. Roger Govender together with members of the Transport Portfolio Committee and transport officials will visit the accident scene and the survivors of the taxi crash in Newcastle provincial hospital at 12 midday tomorrow on Wednesday 12/07/06.

The SAPS are investigating six counts of culpable homicide.
 

back