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By IOL Reporter 
Oct 21, 2020
Durban: MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Bheki Ntuli Liaison, has urged motorists to be vigilant on the roads. This comes after 16 people were killed in an accident on the R34 between Melmoth and Ulundi on Wednesday morning.
At around 8 am, a minibus taxi and a truck reportedly collided head-on. The taxi caught fire and 15 people, including an unborn baby, died at the scene.
Three victims of the taxi were burned beyond recognition and DNA tests will be carried out to authenticate the remains of the deceased.
Ntuli has asked the authorities to intervene to speed up the investigation process.
“This accident is one of the most horrific I have ever experienced as 16 people died, including a pregnant woman who gave birth to a stillborn baby at the scene. It pains me that families have lost loved ones, especially during October Transportation Month, as we are busy conducting service delivery activities including launching high-impact infrastructure projects in various parts of the province that are key to unlocking economic opportunity, “said Ntuli.
He said that road safety in all modes of transport is a top priority and works with all spheres of government.
“We will implement interventions to improve legislation, intensify law enforcement operations across the province, and promote driver behavior change through road safety awareness campaigns. These interventions are intended to end the carnage in our cities. roads, “he said.
He added that investigations into the cause of the accident will focus on the suitability for circulation of both vehicles, the weather conditions at the time of the accident and other causal factors that could have caused the accident.
“However, it is critical that road users are aware of the factors that contribute to road killings, such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We are committed to ending the killings in roads and we will continue to ensure road safety in the province through strategic enforcement of traffic, education and strong community participation, “he said.
Ntuli said the government will work with local municipalities to help the families of the victims with funeral arrangements and psychosocial services.
KZN Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“We are deeply concerned about the accident that occurs while we are still licking our wounds after another terrible accident that killed the same number of people. As the provincial government, we want to convey our deepest condolences to the families of the people, including a baby unborn, who died so tragically today, “he said. | MESS
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