HAZYVIEW – “Why do we always have to experience the most horrific accidents before something gets done?”
This was the reaction of MP Ken Robertson, upon hearing the news that the death toll in Friday night’s horrific crash between Hazyview and White River had risen to 11.
According to the community safety, security and liaison spokesman, Joseph Mabuza, a taxi was travelling from Mozambique on Friday at around 22:30, when it crashed into three cows on the R538.
They are believed to have been on their way to a church service. The department was still identifying the victims on Monday when MEC Pat Ngomane arranged a meeting with the local community about the accident, as well as with the victims’ families in South Africa.
Also read: Beast on the bonnet damages new vehicle
Robertson sent his condolences to the families. “I cannot imagine losing a child or loved one under these circumstances.”
He added that he had, as the former councillor of Hazyview, warned the municipality of the imminent dangers posed by livestock.
“In 2015 I moved a motion in council that would require Mbombela municipality to be proactive regarding the stray cattle on our roads. I warned of accidents at night as cattle are not visible at all, and because owners do not brand their cattle it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to hold them responsible.
“The motion required Mbombela to allocate land for its own holding facility for stray animals, where they could be kept out of harm’s way until owners could pay for the mustering of their cattle and have them released. Mbombela adopted that it and provincial departments would investigate it, but it did not think it was a priority.
Also read: Condolences for 18 killed mine workers
“If there are cattle that are stray and even if Mbombela had the capacity to round up the cattle, the municipality has no pound. The closest pound is in Mashishing (Lydenburg) and the cattle cannot be transported there because of the foot-and-mouth boundary which runs between the two municipalities.
“In my opinion Mbombela has enough utilised land to warrant a pound. Also, it is a form of sustainable job creation if owners have to pay for the mustering of their cattle upon the collection of their cattle at the pound,” Robertson said.
City of Mbombela Local Municipality general manager, strategic support, David Shabangu said the City has noted the unfortunate accident in which far too many lives were lost.
“This is a rural road and the area is notorious for stray animals,” he said.
Shabangu added that the animals were registered and marked accordingly.
“The office of the executive mayor regrets the tragic accident and will investigate the matter further to determine how the municipality can also provide support to the bereaved families in this critical time,” he said.
Also read: Cows killed in an alleged racial dispute
According to Shabangu, the City will explore practical measures to deal with stray animals in its jurisdiction.
Ngomane has called on police to charge the owner of the cattle with culpable homicide.
In a statement, he said the owner of the cows should be made to face the consequences of not looking after his or her livestock.
“Livestock owners have a responsibility over their animals, and should therefore not leave their cattle to wander without being attended to or kept in secure places.”
The MEC further requested all members of the community who might know the owner of the cows to report them to the police.
He also reminded motorists to be alert and exercise extreme caution when using the R538, especially at night and during bad weather.
Mabuza said that, with input from community members and local farmers, the municipality, law enforcement, road-safety practitioners, forensic personnel, social-services officials, pastors and councillors will work on a plan to manage and mitigate such incidents in future.
Also read: Multiple fatalities at horror accident
They attended a meeting at Mthimba FET yesterday where the MEC was briefed about the role players. Ngomane was also to meet with affected family members after the meeting.
Mabuza added that DNA samples of family members will be taken as soon as possible to ensure that the deceased are identified through a post-mortem.
“A joint service memorial service for the deceased will also be organised, but we will be taking the lead from the families regarding timing and customs,” he concluded.
