DA sends condolences to the families of eMalahleni crash victims

Issued by Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Public Works, Roads & Transport
09 Mar 2023 in Press Releases

The DA in Mpumalanga would like to call on both the Provincial Departments of Education and Public Works (PWRT) to take leadership and regulate the issue of scholar transport in the province – as many learners are getting killed in accidents involving vehicles that are not roadworthy, nor have no permit to carry learners. 

 

On Thursday this week, two learners were killed when two minibuses collided with a truck on the N4 toll road between Vosman and eMalahleni CBD in Mpumalanga. Several other learners were reportedly transported to nearby health facilities for medical attention after they were injured in the accident. 

 

The DA would like to send its heart-felt condolences to the families of the learners who lost their lives and those who were injured. 

 

One life lost is one too many. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the families of the victims in this difficult time. We wish those who were injured a speedy recovery. 

 

The DA would also like to request those who are transporting school learners to avoid overloading, speeding and observe traffic rules and signs all the time. 

 

We would also like to call on the Mpumalanga Traffic Road Officials to be more visible and enforce traffic laws at all times. They must take swift actions against those who violate the rules of the road. 

 

Most of all, the provincial government, especially both the departments responsible for the learner transport system, need to overhaul the whole system and put some regulations in place for those transporting school learners – as some of them do not have required permits and others are using vehicles that are not roadworthy. 

 

As much as the DA understands that our people are trying to make a living by transporting learners to school, but it is important that they get proper permits and use roadworthy vehicles.