STATEMENT FROM MINISTER OF TRANSPORT ON TRAIN ACCIDENT

16 October 1999

Issued by: Office of the Minister of Transport

The Minister of Transport Dullah Omar has dispatched senior officials from the Department of Transport to the scene of the accident near Maraisburg west of Johannesburg where two trains collided on Friday.

The minister said: "It is still unclear from the report I received today whether there were any casualties or not. "I have been informed that the accident involved a passenger train and a goods train and I immediately requested members of my senior management to investigate and advise me. "I will issue a statement subject to their findings and recommendations," the minister said.

For more information, telephone Mike Mabasa on 083-680-7048