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The United National Transport Union (UNTU) would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of four UNTU members employed by Mainline Passenger Services (MLPS), known as Shosholoza Meyl, who died in a vehicle accident in the early hours of this morning.

“It is an incredibly sad day for the Union. We have lost many members to the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are deeply disturbed and saddened to learn that four more of our members died in a vehicle accident. Our prayers are with the families and all those who knew the deceased and  the four other passengers, all UNTU members, who are being treated in hospital for their injuries,” says Steve Harris, General Secretary of the Union.

The eight employees of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) travelled to Port Elizabeth on train 73011 from Johannesburg on Friday 15 January 2021.

The train they had to return on today, 18 January 2021, was cancelled.

The UNTU members drove back from Port Elizabeth to Gauteng in a Prasa Combi during the night.

According to Harris it is alleged that a tyre of the vehicle burst, and the driver lost control at approximately 04:00 this morning while they were travelling on the N1 near Ventersburg. The accident is still under investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The names of the deceased and the injured are being withheld to allow the SAPS time to inform their families.

Issued on behalf of UNTU