ACTIONSA has called for the removal of trucks on Mzansi roads, following the multiple-vehicle crash on the N3 between Hilton and Cedara outside Pietermaritzburg in KZN.
The crash involved more than 40 vehicles including trucks, taxis, and cars. The accident, which happened on Monday 10 April, claimed six lives.
The party’s provincial chairman, Zwakele Mncwango, said it is sad that the accident occurred a few kilometres away from the Peter Brown off-ramp where horrific accidents have claimed 25 lives since January 2022.
“A month ago, a runaway tipper truck collided with more than 40 vehicles on the M41 in Durban, leaving at least 16 people injured,” said Mncwango.
He said they are calling for the provincial transport department to meet with the national department to come up with a plan to remove all the heavy-duty trucks on the road before more lives are lost.
“We are calling for the revival of the railway system which was once an important element of the country’s transportation system. It is also high time that the government repair dilapidated and vandalised railway lines to reintroduce this system of transportation,” he said.
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On Tuesday, 11 April Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga visited the accident scene and survivors at hospital.
Chikunga said she doesn't want to paint the picture that the accident was caused by a truck as there are investigations going on.
“But I am concerned about truck drivers who do not comply with road rules,” said Chikunga.
Chikunga also received an engineer’s report stating that the road where the accident occurred is in good condition.
One of the crash survivors, Jabulani Dlamini, said motorists need to obey and respect the rules of the road.
“I was driving from uMzimkhulu to Johannesburg when I encountered the accident. The visibility at the scene was very poor because of the heavy mist, but I saw that there were two cars that collided with a truck. I stopped and tried to warn other motorists but because of the speed, they ended up piling up,” said Jabulani.
