Cape Town – An accident on the N12 near Delmas, Mpumalanga, claimed the lives of seven farm workers on Monday morning after two trucks collided.
According to Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane, the crash occurred at around 7:30 AM, shortly after the R42 Bronkhorstspruit/Delmas off-ramp.
It involved a Volvo Articulated Truck and a Hino Truck transporting farm worker.
“It is alleged that a Hino truck transporting about 22 farmworkers to a farm in the area was stationary in the emergency lane of the N12 loading workers when a Volvo articulated truck crashed into it from the rear,” said Zwane.
The RTMC said the crash resulted in seven fatalities, with five people sustaining serious injuries and another 11 sustaining minor injuries.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but the RTMC extended their condolences to the families of all those affected.
In a separate statement, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison provided a more detailed account of the accident and the events that transpired.
“The truck, which has seemingly been converted to transport passengers, was at the time of the crash picking up employees on the road to ferry them to work at the nearby farm. The seventh person succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital,” said the Department.
The Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has reminded motorists to be alert on the roads as two separate crashes claimed the lives of 10 people on Monday. https://t.co/lWjyJoe5D6#GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/DhuKpz7pAe
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The Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, also condemned the incident, highlighting concerns about road safety in South Africa.
“Despite all efforts that government and its entities continue to put to reduce road crashes, the number of people losing their lives in these collisions is still rising.
“It is essential that all road users play their part by being alert while driving. They must also comply with the rules. More than 80% of collisions on the road are caused by human behaviour and regrettably people’s recklessness claim innocent people’s lives,” said MEC Macie.
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Picture: Facebook/South African Police Service
Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
