Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, has called on all road users to respect traffic regulations.
Hlomuka said this as the country approaches the festive season holidays which are synonymous with fatal road crashes.
On Friday, Hlomuka launched an Integrated Festive Season plan, which seeks to promote safety on the road and in communities.
“The success of this plan is dependent on the proactive work by law enforcement to reduce road crashes and levels of crime in our communities,” said Hlomuka.
He also conveyed his condolences to the family who lost six of its members in a head-on collision with a truck on R56 outside uMzimkhulu.
Hlomuka explained that six occupants in the Avanza, who are all members of the Tenza family died, while one sustained critical injuries and is recovering in hospital. The family were travelling from Nokweja to Flagstaff.
Hlomuka said it was painful to witness so many members of one family being wiped out in an accident and called on road users to behave responsibly.
He said that the Department of Transport, working with the local government structures and Operation Sukuma Sakhe, would be providing aid to the affected family.
The department said that the South African Police Services (SAPS) collision unit is leading the investigation into the possible cause of the accident.
KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert Mckenzie said six people lost their lives while two more were rushed to hospital by paramedics at the scene.
Daily News