SEVERAL families were left reeling yesterday (August 17) after a black start to the week.
An early morning collision on the South Coast left two people dead when their bakkie was struck from behind by a taxi. Some of the passengers (believed to number 30) in the taxi were injured and the roadway was obstructed for some time, causing traffic delays.
The death toll rose when 15 passengers died and five were injured at Shaka’s Head on the North Coast. A taxi driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle, which then plunged off a bridge, landing on the railway tracks below, in the path of an on-coming train.
The ANC called for the Department of Transport and relevant stakeholders to strengthen and continue their efforts in reducing road accidents of this nature. A visit to the families of those involved in the Shaka’s Head accident was planned for today (Tuesday).
ANC calls on all the relevant stakeholders led by the Department of Transport to continue leading road safety campaigns @ECRBreakfast @eNCA
— #VoteANC (@ANCKZN) August 18, 2015
Further north on the N2, in the Pongola area, a man died when he tried to escape a truck which had struck six cars.
Transport MEC, Willies Mchunu, expressed his sadness and shock.
“Many of these accidents could have been avoided if drivers strictly adhered to the rules of the road. Having said this, we continue to call on all road users to realise the devastating effect of these accidents on families, communities and the country’s economy.”
He added that collective action and responsibility needed to be taken in order to save lives.
Most often, many of these accidents could have been avoided if drivers strictly adhered to the rules of the road. – MEC Willies Mchunu
Rafeek Shah, the DA’s KZN Spokesman for Transport also expressed his sadness, calling for more action by the provincial department.
“The lack of effective law enforcement – particularly around roadworthy certificates being issued to faulty vehicles and unfit drivers being given their licences – is key to this problem and we call on the MEC to focus on the matter,” he said.
Do you think KZN road users are responsible? Let us know in the comments.
