DEAR Editor,-
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal today calls for an increase in visible policing on the province’s roads along with stricter law enforcement following horrific deaths of at least 24 people in three different road crashes over the weekend.
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* According to media reports, four people were killed on the R66 near Ulundi on the night of Sunday, December 9, when a bakkie collided with a minibus;
* On Saturday, December 8, 13 people died on the N2 near Empangeni when their vehicle collided with a minibus;
* On the same day, seven people died on the R614 when their bakkie crashed into a car.
The DA is deeply disturbed by this devastating carnage and express sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. We pray for a speedy recovery for those who were injured.
It is extremely concerning that so many lives have been claimed, despite KZN Transport MEC Mxolisi Kaunda’s ongoing assurances that his officers will be out in force on the province’s roads to ensure compliance.
These deaths come before we even head into the thick of the festive season and a massive increase in the number of vehicles on the province’s roads.
If this trend continues, then KZN’s road crash fatality rate post-Christmas and New Year is too terrible to even contemplate.
It is clear that the KZN Department of Transport needs to take drastic and urgent steps immediately.
This means that every single road traffic officer needs to be out on our roads, visible to motorists.
It also means that offenders, in particular speedsters, unlicensed drivers, those with unlicensed vehicles and drunk drivers who threaten the safety of road users, must face the full might of the law.
The DA notes the MEC’s commitment to a full investigation into the three above-mentioned crashes.
We remain committed to monitoring the progress and outcome of these probes.
RAFEEK SHAH, MPL
DA KZN Spokesman on Transport
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