Durban — KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has called for justice for the 21 victims of the horrific Pongola crash.
Dube-Ncube called on the courts to deliver justice to the victims of the horrific crash that took the lives of 21 people in Pongola on Friday.
The crash claimed the lives of 19 pupils and two adults.
A truck had crashed into a bakkie.
Speaking during an interview from the New York Climate Week where she is leading the KwaZulu-Natal provincial delegation, Dube-Ncube described as “painfully sad” reports of the 21 victims, which included 19 school children.
“This is one of the most tragic accidents in our province in recent times. What is painfully sad is to learn that this accident has taken the lives of so many of our young people whose future and that of their families is now destroyed,” Dube-Ncube said.
“Sadly, it is becoming clearer by the day that increasingly, human factors are playing a major role in road fatalities in our province which is cause for major concern. We commend the SAPS and the community for working together to facilitate the arrest of the driver of the truck that was involved in this fatal accident who had also fled the scene. We, therefore, call on the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to act swiftly and in concert to ensure that justice is delivered for the sake of the victims and their families.”
“We also convey our sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends who have lost their loved ones in this terrible accident. The provincial government will provide all the necessary support to the surviving families to ensure that they are able to bear the impact of this tragedy and when the time comes, to lay the souls of the departed to rest with the appropriate dignity. May their souls rest in peace”, Dube-Ncube added.
On Saturday, acting premier Nomagugu Simelane extended condolences to the families of this horrific accident who died during a collision that involved a bus and a motor vehicle.
She also wished those injured a speedy recovery.
She said the Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka as well as Education MEC Mbali Fraser were leading government efforts to support the bereaved families and victims.
“We wish to assure the citizens and all affected families that the government is working with all stakeholders to ensure that the cause of this traumatising accident is investigated and concluded speedily.”
Daily News