Eastern Cape Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Weziwe Tikana, has expressed shock and sadness following the deaths of eight people on the Eastern Cape roads since the beginning of the weekend.
She said in a statement on Saturday morning that the first incident occurred on the Bambisana Road inLusikisiki near Jambeni Location when two vehicles collided head-on Friday night.
“The vehicles, a mini-bus taxi with 16 occupants and a Toyota bakkie with two occupants were travelling in opposite directions when they collided. Four people, three males, and one female died on the scene of the crash while 8 others were critically injured and 4 sustained minor injuries,” said Tikana.
She said the jaws of life had to be used to remove the victims from the wreckage. “The driver of the bakkie and his passenger also sustained critical injuries. The injured were taken to Bambisana hospital for medical treatment.”
In another accident on theN2 near Ncambedlana farms outside Mthatha, a Hyundai iX35 travelling from Qumbutowards Mthatha hit and killed a female pedestrian who was on the sidewalk along the road.
“It is alleged that a female driver of the lost control of her vehicle and veered off the road. The pedestrian was killed on impact,” the MEC said.
Three other people when a bakkie overturned and crashed on the R411 near Coffee Bay in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“We would like to send our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish those in hospital a speedy recovery. We further appeal to our motorists to take extra caution on the road and share the road with other road users,” said Tikana.
