bus crash

Condolences for E Cape horror crash victims’ families

The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu, has extended government’s condolences to the families of those killed in the horrific bus crash on Saturday morning on the R61 between Cradock and Graaf Reinet. “On behalf of the provincial government, I would like to convey our message of condolences to the …

“On behalf of the provincial government, I would like to convey our message of condolences to the bereaved families and wish those that are still in hospitals a speedy recovery,” said Marawu.

The crash, which claimed 18 lives – including two school children – involved a Sprinter bus and a school bus. Fourteen people were also seriously injured in the crash.

According to Arrive Alive spokesperson, Tshepo Machaea, the school bus was transporting children to an event in Graaf-Reinet when it collided with a bus carrying passengers from Cape Town to Mthatha.

Marawu said her department was seriously considering introducing a 24-hour shift system for traffic officers in order to provide safe passage for motorists on the provincial roads.

“We are not going to fold arms. We will engage national government to fast-track the discussions of introducing a 24-hour shift system for traffic officers in order to improve law enforcement on our roads… In fact, I will engage traffic officers’ labour unions in our province about my intention,” said the MEC.

Marawu is expected to join the Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, in a visit to accident victims at Cradock Hospital and the parents of the school children who died in the crash. – SAnews.gov.za

See Also: DA Sends Condolences

DA condolences for victims of Cradock Primary School taxi accident

Dear Editor I would like to express my shock and deepest sympathy on behalf of the Democratic Alliance with the families of the victims of Saturday morning’s accident on the R61 outside Cradock in which a school principal, two learners and 13 passengers of a minibus taxi from Mthatha were killed. Our hearts and prayers …

Dear Editor

I would like to express my shock and deepest sympathy on behalf of the Democratic Alliance with the families of the victims of Saturday morning’s accident on the R61 outside Cradock in which a school principal, two learners and 13 passengers of a minibus taxi from Mthatha were killed. Our hearts and prayers are with them.

The accident took place when a bus from the Cradock Primary School collided with the taxi. The children were on their way to a sport event in Graaff-Reinet.

While the circumstances leading to this tragedy are not clear, this is another wake-up call that serious attention must be given to road safety, especially when it comes to taxis that travel through the night. Driver fatigue is one of the main causes of these frequent taxi-accidents. What we need is legislation and tough action.

I will be visiting the Cradock Primary School on Monday, 23 July 2012, to convey my condolences, while representative of the DA in Mthatha will visit the families of the victims who were travelling in the taxi.

I believe that this heart-breaking incident could have been avoided. We cannot allow the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads to continue.

Donald Smiles.

Editors Notes: Sixteen people, including the principal and two learners of the Cradock Primary School School were killed in a horror accident involving the school bus and a minibus-taxi on Saturday, 21 July 2012.

I was hunting on a farm, Blomfontein, about 45 kilometres south of Cradock when the incident happened and witness to an incredible sense of community as the local hunters mourned the loss of community members. It was clear that the tragic loss of their own town members hurt them deep.