MBOMBELA- The Democratic Alliance had expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the eight victims, including a 3-year-old-child, who tragically lost their lives in the horrific accident that happened on the R38 between Badplaas and Barbeton, Mpumalanga on Tuesday evening.
Three other people were seriously injured and were taken to the Barberton hospital for treatment. According to reports, a truck and a minibus collided after the driver of the truck lost control.
“The DA would like to send its condolences to all the affected families and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” said Jane Sithole the party’s spokesperson on Public Works, Roads and Transport.
“The party is extremely concerned as incidents of this kind happen more often in our province, and if left unattended, will not be the last. The loss of a loved one, particularly a ‘bread winner’ within the family is devastating to say the least,”she said.
“Every citizen in the country needs to work with law-enforcement agencies to eradicate road accidents. It is not acceptable for families to lose their loved ones due to drivers negligence. It is also not fair for families to lose their loved ones due to the conditions of our roads in Mpumalanga,” she added.
Adding that they hope that the R1,2 billion allocated for the rehabiliation of roads and construction of new ones as tabled by the MEC for Finance, Eric Kholwane will do what it’s meant for – to improve the conditions of the roads for all road users.
“The DA will work hand in hand with government to ensure more stringent steps towards road users to end the carnage on our province’s roads,”she said.