adminJOHANNESBURG/POLOKWANE.– At least 25 passengers were killed in two separate traffic accidents in South Africa yesterday, a week after a bus crash claimed 29 lives, officials said. The first incident, involving a bus and a small vehicle occurred in the northern province of Limpopo at 2am (1200GMT), killing eleven people.
Limpopo roads and transport department spokesperson Jimmy Machaka said the bus was apparently overtaking on a barrier line when it collided with the Corolla.
Five of those killed had been travelling in a Toyota Corolla and six in the bus.
Later in the day, a mini bus laden with commuters, collided with a truck, south of the port city of Durban.
“We have learnt that 14 people died on the scene after a taxi driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed onto an oncoming truck,” said Sipho Khumalo, an official at the Kwazulu Natal department of transport.
A bulk of South African commuters, especially from poor communities, rely on mini bus taxis to get around.
The privately operated vehicles are notorious for speeding, poor maintenance and overloading of passengers.
A week ago, 29 commuters were killed when a bus crashed into a lorry, north east of the capital Pretoria.
Despite its sophisticated road networks, South Africa battles a high rate of road fatalities, with about 38 fatalities on average per day, according to government figures.
Meanwhile, Limpopo Health MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba and the DA have extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
“It is a sad day indeed for the South African and Zimbabwean families who lost their loved ones in this horrific way,” Letsatsi-Duba said.
“Our health professionals are doing their best to ensure that the injured are attended to.”
Democratic Alliance Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle extended the party’s condolences.
“They are in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
According to Letsatsi-Duba’s office, seven critically and seriously injured people, including a 2-year-old child, were admitted at Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.
Thirty others were treated for less serious injuries at Seshego Hospital and released, before being taken to the home affairs department.
A 4-year-old child, whose parents were critically injured, would be cared for at the Polokwane Care Centre. – AFP-Sapa.
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