Reckless road behaviour condemned

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli called for better road safety after eight people lost their lives in an accident in the Nkandla region on Monday morning.

The single-vehicle collision occurred in Mandaba when the taxi in which they were travelling overturned and veered down an embankment.

Sadly, all eight deceased were from one family and were en route to a wedding.

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“This heart-breaking incident is a painful reminder of the urgent need for drivers to exercise caution and responsibility on the roads.

“This senseless road carnage robs families of their loved ones and leaves communities in mourning,” said Ntuli.

Extending his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, the premier assured them of the provincial government’s support during this tragic time.

He also called on all road users to contribute to safer roads by adhering to traffic laws, avoiding reckless behavior, and prioritising the safety of passengers and other motorists.

“The loss of eight lives in this tragedy is not just a statistic; it is a profound loss to families and the province. We urge all drivers to take responsibility and commit to ending the preventable loss of lives on our roads,” added Ntuli.

The premier further called on taxi associations to take measures to ensure the safety of all passengers.

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“We call upon taxi associations to strengthen their oversight and ensure every public transport vehicle is roadworthy, and all drivers are properly trained and qualified to carry passengers safely. Public safety must be a non-negotiable priority,” he said.

“Ensuring passenger safety begins with enforcing standards within the taxi industry.

“This includes regular vehicle maintenance, thorough driver vetting, and ongoing safety education for drivers.

“We must all work together to make our roads safer for everyone. Let us honour those we have lost by driving responsibly and ensuring no more lives are needlessly cut short,” concluded Premier Ntuli.

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