By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has expressed shock and sorrow in the wake of a tragic accident that occurred on the R81 road in Ga-Sekgopo under the Mopani District.
12 people died in a horror crash, involving two heavy trucks and a minibus taxi on Sunday, 28 September.
Ramathuba confirmed that a male driver, 10 women passengers and a child, between the ages of 7 and 10, died in the crash.
She said, the taxi was travelling from a church service at Solomondale to Giyani.
Ramathuba met the bereaved families on Monday, September 29, at the Pietersburg Hospital Recreation Hall to assist with the identification of the deceased.
She was accompanied by MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye and the MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego.
Ramathuba said the families managed to identify their loved ones and there was no need for DNA testing.
She emphasised the need for practical solutions to avert the rising fatal accidents in the province.
“Let’s come up with our own way, our own campaigns, now that we know where the problem is. This means strengthening awareness. She said, the province will embark on a road safety campaign to address the rising number of fatal accidents on its roads.
Minister of transport Barbara Creecy and her deputy Mkhuleko Hlengwa also expressed their heartfelt condolences and message of support to the bereaved families.
The ministry had directed the Road Traffic Management Cooporation (RTMC) to dispatch a team to determine the cause of the crash and provide a report in this regard.
Creecy and Hlengwa also called on motorists for heightened vigilance on the roads and to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of other road users.