Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, MEC Pat Ngomane, conveyed his condolences to the families of eight people who perished in two separate accidents today and yesterday.

Three people were killed on July 18 on the N4 Road between Komatipoort and Hectorspruit at about 14:30 when a truck and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) collided head on. All three deceased were occupants of the SUV. One occupant of the SUV was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries while another was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

At approximeately 11:15 today, five people died when the Toyota Quantum minibus taxi they were travelling in collided with a Tipper Truck on the R536 Road between Mkhuhlu and Kruger Gate. The five deceased included a four month old baby. Two critical, two serious and five minor injured patients who were occupants of the minibus taxi were rushes to hospital.

MEC Ngomane said that the nature of crashes shows that there is negligence in some motorists, and that the fight against road crashes are far from being won if there’s still bad drivers on the road.

“Most crashes are caused by the bad decisions taken by motorists who are impatient disobedient. About 99 percent of crashes can be avoided if motorists can change their attitudes when behind the steering wheel or towards other motorists,” he says.

He added that law enforcers should be harsh when dealing with people who violate traffic rules.

Submitted by: Zandile V Mandlazi / Department: Community Safety, Security and Liaison