Premier appeals for better transportation in Moloto

MATSHIDING – The premier Mr David Mabuza says government is at the stage of considering an alternative mode of transport for communities who utilise the notorious Moloto Road.

Speaking at a mass funeral service on Sunday for 26 people who died last Monday in a gruesome accident that involved a bus and a truck, Mabuza said government needed to consider rail as a mode of transport that could be utilised to ease the large volumes of traffic on the Moloto Road.

Four of the bereaved families however chose to bury their loved ones in private ceremonies in different areas.

Mabuza said although the Moloto Road had been extended in the past by the provincial government, there was still a need for rail transport as the large volume of traffic contributed greatly to accidents.

“No matter how much we can extend the road, it is a reality that the population has increased drastically, the amount of traffic is just too huge and there is too much congestion. We are at a stage of considering an alternative mode of transport that would ease the volume of traffic on this notorious road,” said Mabuza.

He said an environment impact assessment on the establishment of a railway line study was done by the provincial government under his leadership while he was still a member of the executive responsible for roads and transport in 2007.

He said the report was tabled before the national department of transport; however the change of leadership in government could have contributed in the delay of its implementation.

“The matter is high on the agenda of national government and is subject to consideration. Indeed the establishment of a railway line has been long overdue, but we are happy that the national government will be making an announcement soon. The railway line will be a link between Mpumalanga and Gauteng and would reach as far as the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo. It will not only transport passengers from the areas surrounding Moloto, but will also cater for farm produce to be transported while it eases the volume of traffic,” said Mabuza.

He further appreciated all the stakeholders who assisted in the burial of the 30 people adding that government would ensure that the well-being of the dependants of the deceased were taken care of in the event that they were breadwinners.

The funeral service was also attended by amongothers, transport minister, Ms Dipuo Peters, health minister, Mr Aaron Motsoaledi, social development deputy minister, Ms Maria Ntuli, Limpopo premier, Mr Stan Mathabatha and ANC deputy secretary-general, Ms Jessie Duarte.