MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, has expressed his utter shock at the horrific accident that has claimed at least 24 lives in Pinetown, Durban.
The accident took place on the M13 intersection (off Richmond ramp) getting into Pinetown. It appears that a truck crushed into four taxis and one light vehicle, leaving at least 24 people dead on the scene.
Mchunu, speaking at the scene of the accident, said he was deeply shocked by the accident, coming as it did just four days after yet another tragic accident on R66, near Melmoth, that claimed 10 lives last Sunday.
In the last accident, the victims were from the Umkhosi woMhlanga (Reed dance) in Nongoma. The victims will be buried in a mass funeral at the weekend in Umzumbe.
“I’m lost for words. Even on the best of our roads, we are seeing the worst horrific accidents. What’s wrong with us? How can we turn things around as road users – from drivers of trucks, light passenger vehicles and public transport modes such as taxis? I’m asking because this squarely falls on the shoulders of all of us. Having said this, I still maintain the power is in all of us to take road safety seriously, and save lives. On behalf of the government, I wish to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives tonight,” said Mchunu.
He added: “It’s really unbelievable that so many people were killed. Since I became the MEC, I have never seen this. I’m thoroughly disturbed because we have not even buried the 10 who died young girls and their minders who died in Nkwalini (Melmoth). Tonight I have sanctioned a forensic investigation to look at all the possible causes of this accident. The driver is currently in custody.”
