Pretoria - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has sent a team of crash and incident reconstruction and investigation experts to determine the cause of horrific crashes that claimed many lives in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
At least nine people died, while three more sustained serious injuries in a fatal crash which involved a bus, minibus and car along the Punda Maria road, 2km from Thohoyandou stadium in Limpopo on Monday.
Transport Department spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said initial reports indicate that the bus was overtaking vehicles when it collided head-on with the minibus before it collided with the car.
“All nine occupants in the minibus, including the driver, died on the spot, while the three occupants in the car were seriously injured. The bus did not have any passengers,” he said.
In Mpumalanga, at approximately 2pm on Monday on the N4 in Ngodwana, en route to Nelspruit, a truck and light delivery type vehicle collided head-on, resulting in six fatalities from the light delivery type vehicle.
Rikhotso said initial information obtained indicates that the driver of the light delivery vehicle veered over onto the travelling lane of the truck, resulting in the collision.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has expressed sadness at the incidents and the loss of innocent lives.
“We are deeply saddened by these tragic occurrences. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased and we wish those who are injured a speedy recovery,” said Peters. - SAnews.gov.za
