By Thabisile Khoza
Siyabuswa - Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has urged the public not to speculate about the Moloto Road crash, but rather focus on how such tragic collisions can be prevented.
Speaking at the memorial service for the victims of the crash, which was held today at the Matshiding Showground near Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga, Mabuza asked people to wait for the National Department of Transport to respond to the issue of the Moloto Rail Development Corridor. The corridor is expected to make the road safer.
The memorial was attended by about 2 000 people. A mass funeral service will be held on Sunday at the same venue.
Initially, 29 people died while eight were critically injured. A critically injured patient died later in hospital. The crash involving two trucks, a bakkie and a bus occurred on Monday night on the R573 Moloto Road between Vlaklaagte and Kwaggafontein.
Among those who attended the event were Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha, Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe, traditional leader King Sipho Mahlangu and religious leaders.
King Mahlangu said plans for the corridor should be expedited.
“We want government to act on the issue immediately because many people are losing their lives on this killer road,” said Mahlangu.
According to the provincial Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the accident occurred when an articulated truck drove into the back of a tipper truck before colliding with a bus and a bakkie.
Mabuza said department officials had met a variety of role players and the families of the deceased to determine how the families can be assisted. – SAnews.gov.za
