By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences following a three-vehicle crash that claimed 21 lives on the N1 highway near Leeu-Gamka in the Western Cape.
The incident, which occurred around 11:30pm, involved two minibuses and a station wagon.
The Western Cape Government has confirmed the severity of the crash and that the investigation is ongoing into the cause of the collission.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident during a visit to the crash site. “This is a devastating loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this tragic collision, ” he stated.”
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has commenced an investigation into the cause of the collision, though initial reports confirm that 21 people have sustained fatal injuries.
The RTMC indicated that this number remains provisional and may be subject to change as authorities continue their assessment.
In his social media post, Ramaphosa said, “This tragedy has robbed families of loved ones and breadwinners, and affected businesses and other organisations that employed some of the deceased persons.”
“This devastating incident cautions us yet again to exercise the greatest care on our roads as we traverse our vast country, said the president.”
“My thoughts are also with the women and men of our emergency services who are deeply affected when they attend to such scenes, added Ramaphosa.”
The scale of the tragedy has also highlighted the importance of exercising caution on long-distance routes, particularly when travelling through remote parts where emergency response can involve considerable distances.