KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma led a roadblock operation on Sunday.
Image: Supplied
Two major road accidents, both linked to excessive speeding and reckless driving, have left three people dead and dozens injured following the long weekend after Human Rights Day.
On Sunday, a fatal head-on collision on the R61 along the KZN South Coast claimed three lives, leaving one person in critical condition and three others injured. The crash occurred in a high-risk accident zone known for frequent collisions due to speeding, overtaking on solid lines, and driving under the influence.
KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulance spokesperson Craig Botha confirmed that emergency services had to close the road for three hours to clear the scene and assist the injured. “Our team attended to the accident, and due to the severity of the crash, the road had to be temporarily closed,” said Botha.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, stated that a preliminary investigation indicated that a VW car and a Toyota Tazz were racing each other when they collided head-on with a Toyota Yaris. The high-speed crash resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
In a separate incident early on Sunday morning, a bus carrying Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters overturned while travelling from Gauteng to Ulundi for the party’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The accident, that occurred between around 6am, left 22 passengers injured.
Duma said preliminary reports suggested that the bus driver was speeding at the time of the crash. He said that the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) would be intensifying enforcement against speeding and reckless driving in the province.
In response to the alarming rise in road fatalities, Mr Duma led a roadblock operation on Sunday, coinciding with increased traffic volumes as many motorists returned from Durban and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal to inland provinces.
“We recorded more than 1000 vehicles per hour last Thursday afternoon and Friday. These figures give us insight into what to expect this coming Easter holiday, Good Friday, and the Passover weekend,” said Mr Duma.
To prevent further tragedies, authorities are collaborating with church leaders and interfaith organisations to ensure the safety of vehicles transporting worshippers during the upcoming religious holidays. RTI officers will be deployed in high-risk areas, and municipal traffic officers will work together to enforce road safety measures.
“With heightened traffic expected over the coming weeks, law enforcement is urging all motorists to adhere to speed limits, exercise caution, and prioritise road safety to prevent further loss of life,” said Mr Duma.