Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has appointed a high level investigation team to unearth the cause of the fatal Moloto Road crash in Mpumalanga.
Twenty-nine people were killed and 30 were injured when a collision involving two trucks, a bakkie and a bus occurred on Moloto Road, near Kwaggafontein, last night.
Departmental spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the high level investigation team comprises officials from the department, Road Traffic Management Corporation and the Mpumalanga provincial government.
Peters said the team’s brief was not limited to determining what caused the crash, but also included coming up with proposed interventions to prevent such crashes.
She said if anyone was found to be at fault, they must face the full might of the law.
The Department of Transport has been aware of the challenges along the Moloto corridor. An inter-governmental steering committee (National Department of Transport and the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, including their respective municipalities) was established to conduct a feasibility study that would determine long term interventions for the corridor.
A political committee including the Minister of Transport, the Premiers of the three affected provinces and their respective MECs, and the mayors of the municipalities concerned is also seized with the issue of finding long term solutions to challenges on the Moloto corridor.
Condolences to the bereaved families
Peters has sent her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery.
“This horrific crash happens on the eve of my presentation of the draft Rail Policy in Cabinet. The Rail Policy has a specific emphasis on the Moloto corridor and speaks to the transport infrastructure investments that we need to make in that area as government,” she said.
The minister said the long term objective was to move goods and passengers from road to rail and look into the possible expansion of the road network in question.
This would assist in reducing the number of heavy duty vehicles such as buses and trucks from busy road networks, particularly those within Central Business Districts and residential areas.
President Jacob Zuma has also sent condolences to the families of the victims.
"This carnage must stop. It is completely unacceptable! The fact that this particular road has gained notoriety in the deaths of our people means there's something wrong that we need to address together.
“We urge witnesses to assist in the investigation into the cause of the collision, which has been announced by the Minister of Transport. We also urge the law enforcement authorities to swiftly get to the bottom of the causes of this tragedy and the law must be firm on those found to have flouted any rules and regulations of the road, leading to such high fatalities”.
Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO Phumla Williams echoed the President’s words.
“Government is saddened by the unfortunate loss of lives in this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. We wish all the injured a speedy recovery.”
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza also sent his condolences to the bereaved families.
During the month of October, the Road Traffic Management Company began implementing the Intelligent Traffic Enforcement Management programme, which will see more stringent enforcement of the rules of the road, including arrests and the impounding of vehicles.
Government also called on all motorists to change negligent behaviour and partner with government to reduce the number of road deaths by half by the year 2020.
“Courtesy, patience and abiding by the rules of the road will play a significant role in reducing road accidents,” said Williams. - SAnews.gov.za
