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The Democratic Alliance is deeply saddened by reports of a horror crash on the R33 and R614 near Wartburg, which has claimed the lives of 12 people.

According to reports, the incident took place earlier this morning after a minibus collided with a truck which is believed to be an oil tanker. The accident has also left two people in a critical condition, who have been rushed to hospital for further treatment.

The DA extends is sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones today. We pray that they will find the strength to get through this extremely difficult time. We also extend our sympathies to those who have family members that were injured in the accident.

The cause of the horrific accident is yet to be established with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) having sent its own investigators to the scene. The DA urges them to leave no stone unturned in identifying the reasons behind this severe loss of life.

We also call on KZN’s Transport MEC, Bheki Ntuli, to ensure that a full evaluation is made of this stretch of road, which has already claimed far too many lives.

In 2012 and again in 2014, several school children were injured in two separate accidents. In 2013, two people were killed when a fully-laden taxi crashed through a concrete barrier, landing in water below. Meanwhile, in 2017, another two people died and 14 were injured when two taxis collided.

In order to reduce the high number of fatalities, MEC Ntuli and his Department need to ensure that our roads are properly maintained and that visible law enforcement takes place.

Issued by DA