Pretoria - Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters has called on motorists to drive with caution on the roads, following an accident which left five people dead.
On Saturday a vehicle lost control and hit a bridge on the N11 near Pepworth in Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal. The vehicle landed on a nearby rail track and caught fire.
“Our heartfelt condolences and our thoughts go to the families, the relatives, and friends of the deceased. May their souls rest in peace,” Minister Peters said.
A team of officials from the Road Traffic Management Corporation the police are investigating the accident.
The Department of Transport said it will enlist the services of the Road Accident Fund to assist the families of the deceased with funeral arrangements and rehabilitation.
The department will also conduct periodic, integrated operations focused on checking the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles, buses, taxis and scholar transport with fines of R50 000 imposed on impounded heavy vehicles and R15 000 for light vehicles.
Mobile roadworthiness testing equipment will be deployed in all provinces and in rural areas to reduce risky unroadworthy vehicles on the roads. – SAnews.gov.za
