KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has visited families of victims who were involved in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of 12 people on R612 between Highflats and Ixopo.
The crash which involved a minibus taxi, three trucks, and a bakkie occurred at a stop-and-go construction site. About eight people are said to be in critical condition in hospital.
Addressing the media during his visit to bereaved families, Zikalala called on road users to obey the traffic rules.
“Accidents such as this one calls on us to continue evaluating and improve management road regulations, the implementation because it is clear that in some cases those who are drivers abuse the road regulations that are expected to be followed. An investigation is still underway and the causes of the accident,” says Zikalala.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, joined by MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Ms Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, will tomorrow, 03 September 2021, visit the families of 12 people who died in a gruesome road accident in Highflats
— Premier Sihle Zikalala (@sziks) September 2, 2021
Preliminary reports suggest that the minibus taxi collided head-on with an oncoming tipper truck.
Officials say the scene where the accident took place is a construction site however they are adamant that there are visible signage and control measures in the area.
Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane has sent condolences to the families affected.
“The MEC for transporting in KZN on behalf of the provincial government sends the deepest condolences to all the affected families and is calling for a speedy investigation into the cause of the accident. The MEC also appealed to all motorists to drive cautiously and as we are approaching the October transport month we should also play an active role in ensuring that we are able to build a safer road environment in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Fatalities increase to 11 in deadly crash on the R612 in Southern KZN https://t.co/lSs24eS4Cq #ArriveAlive @TrafficRTMC @KZNTransport @robz_mckenzie @KZN_EMS pic.twitter.com/CCKaGTA5f2
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 2, 2021
