CAPE TOWN, April 22 (ANA) – Parliament and the Inkatha Freedom Party have expressed concern at the high number of deaths on South African roads, particularly over holiday periods.
The news of the deaths of 20 school pupils in a minibus taxi crash near Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng on Friday was one of the most “heartbreaking and traumatic moments in our country”, Parliament said in a statement.
“Parliament’s thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and teachers of the young victims of this tragic accident,” it said on Saturday.
The accident followed another crash involving a bus near Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal last weekend which claimed 12 lives. These accidents added to the increasing number of fatalities on South African roads during April. Preliminary road accident statistics for the Easter period showed a 51 percent increase in road deaths.
“We are deeply disappointed and saddened that despite various road safety measures and legislative interventions South African road accident statistics remain stubbornly high. Parliament is shocked and devastated by these horrific accidents and continues to appeal for extreme vigilance, patience, calm, and strict adherence to the rules of the road.
“Parliament joins the rest of South Africa in extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families during this difficult time. Relevant authorities must investigate these accidents, which should assist with necessary future interventions to curb such carnage,” the statement said.
In another statement, Inkatha Freedom Party spokesman Joshua Mazibuko said road deaths were a national crisis.
Reacting to the deaths of the pupils of the Sizakele Primary School in Sokhulumi village on the border of Gauteng and Mpumalanga who were burnt to death in Friday’s minibus taxi crash, he said: “Our roads have become cemeteries. Scores of the young and the old get mowed down almost daily and it seems the remedy is not about to come.
“The IFP believes that it is time the government declared the carnage on our roads a national crisis; for indeed it is. This calls for extraordinary measures from the government. The IFP is deeply pained by this tragedy. Our hearts are with all the bereaved families and those who are in hospitals,” Mazibuko said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
