By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has made a heartfelt plea to motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads due to a disturbing rise in road accident fatalities.
In the latest accident reported by the Eastern Cape Transport Department on Monday, a head-on collision on the R61 between Komani and Tarkastad in the Eastern Cape on Monday night claimed the lives of four people, who were believed to be related.
The crash occurred at about 11pm when a Mercedes-Benz sedan with four people collided with a truck carrying two occupants.
“All four occupants of the sedan — a woman, two men and a boy — died at the scene,” said provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose.
“The truck’s occupants sustained minor injuries.”
The incident brings the total number of fatalities on Eastern Cape roads on Monday to 10.
“We are witnessing a devastating trend that is claiming the lives of our loved ones, and it is our collective responsibility to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life, ” Mabuyane said.
“I urge all road users to be extremely cautious and vigilant on the roads, as well as adhere to traffic laws to prevent more deaths,” said Mabuyane, highlighting that the pain and suffering inflicted on families is immeasurable.
“I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the alarming rise in road accident fatalities in our province.
“The lives lost are not just statistics, but people who leave behind grieving families.
“It is our shared responsibility to ensure that we do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring, “Mabuyane added.
At least 90 people, including a two-year-old boy, have lost their lives on Eastern Cape roads since 1 December.
This staggering number stands in stark contrast to the approximately 30 people who died on provincial roads during this period last year.