Acting President David Mabuza says he has noted with concern the accidents that have occurred on South African roads involving trucks.
This after a truck collided with a bakkie ferrying school learners in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, killing 19 children and two adults. According to reports, the two adults who lost their lives include the driver of the bakkie and an assistant teacher.
The 28-year-old truck driver, Sibusiso Siyaya, appeared in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the accident.
“Earlier today, another accident took place on the R66/34 near Ulundi again in the KwaZulu-Natal, with no reported fatalities,” a statement read on Monday.
Mabuza has thanked the rapid response by the provincial government in attending to the needs of the victims’ families in this hour of grief.
He underscored the importance of road safety and urged road users to stick to the rules.
“Every life that is lost on the road is one too many. We, therefore, call on road users to exercise caution and be patient with other road users to save lives,” said the Acting President.
He further called on every concerned South African not to resort to destruction of property and violent acts against truck drivers, but allow authorities to attend to the prevailing challenge on the roads.
He called on the trucking industry to hold an imbizo to discuss the challenges faced by drivers, and find solutions that will improve safety on the roads for truck drivers and other road users.
