Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called for fresh discussions with the freight and logistics industry following the death of one of the country’s best-known human rights lawyers John Wills in a road accident.

Mr Wills passed away after his motorbike was involved in a collision with a truck on the M41 this week. Mr Wills served as advisor to three former Premiers of KwaZulu-Natal up until his retirement in May 2019, when he requested that he be released to return to private legal practice.

“It is time we consider the place of trucks on our roads and their contribution to road accidents in KwaZulu-Natal. One life lost is one too many, and we should take a serious look at the massive cost of recent accidents in our province,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

“Mr Wills distinguished himself as a fighter for human rights and being on the side of the underdog all his professional life as a lawyer. Among others he will be remembered for representing the Bhangazi Community in settling the Eastern Shores St. Lucia Land Claim, and the years in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission acting for parties who fought apartheid, and working with government in creating conditions to reduce violence in the taxi industry,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.

“In John Wills, our province has lost a gallant fighter for justice, truth and reconciliation, indeed a rare species of humanity. May his family be consoled by the fact that John Wills has done his job, and that he knew his task on earth was to drive the project for the building of a truly non-racial, non-sexist and equal KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, a project for which he lived and died,” Premier Dube-Ncube said.

“On behalf of provincial government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal, we send our deepest respects and convey our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Wills”, concluded Premier Dube-Ncube.

May His Soul Rest in Peace!