Sunday, 20 June 2021

MEC NKONYENI LAMENTS DISREGARD OF ROAD RULES AFTER FATAL CRASH CLAIMS LIVES OF SIX PEOPLE ON R74 BETWEEN GREYTOWN AND KRANSKOP

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni has called on motorists to adhere to traffic regulations after an allegedly overloaded vehicle was involved in a horrific accident that claimed the lives of six people on the R74 between Kranskop and Greytown.

The accident happened at around 23h00 last night, when a minibus taxi collided head-on with a light motor vehicle. Upon impact both vehicle caught alight and some of the occupants were burnt beyond recognition.

It is alleged that one driver was avoiding a stationary vehicle and collided with the on-coming vehicle. The occupants in a minibus taxi are believed to have been travelling from a wedding in Nkandla to Estcourt. The other vehicle was coming from Greytown to a place of residence on the R74.

According to the preliminary investigation, the minibus taxi was laden with 20 occupants, when it is permitted to only carry 16 occupants, resulting to possible overloading.

Six people were confirmed dead on scene and 15 others who sustained serious injuries were taken to Greytown Hospital for urgent medical attention. Other highly critical patients were later transported to Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

The Department of Transport’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), working with the SAPS collision unit, has already started with the investigation.

Commenting in the wake of this devastating report, MEC Nkonyeni called on motorists to be extra cautious and to adhere to the Covid-19 National Lockdown Regulations as well as stipulated curfew.

“We wish to send our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones during this terrible accident and wish the injured survivors a swift recovery. Indeed this is a great and devastating loss to the province. We are calling upon motorists to adhere to all road traffic rules and the COVID-19 National Lockdown Regulations. No vehicle is supposed to be on road after the stipulated curfew except for essential services. Our team of investigators are currently on the ground. We will also engage with the South African Police Service and Health Laboratory Services with the view of speeding up the DNA process to assist the families with the identification of their family members who were burnt beyond recognition, ” said MEC Nkonyeni.

MEC Nkonyeni is in constant liaison with the local leadership and details of her visit to the accident scene will be shared later on in the day.

ENDS.