Pretoria - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has described today as "another dark day" for Gauteng after 12 people were killed when a minibus taxi collided head-on with a truck at an intersection in Vereeniging, south of Gauteng.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 12 deceased people who lost their lives..." Mokonyane said, noting with great concern that this was the second major vehicle accident in the Sedibeng District in just a few weeks.
President Jacob Zuma also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
"On behalf of government and the people of South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We are indeed saddened by this tragic loss of these lives and our thoughts are with the bereaved families.
"One cannot stress enough the importance of all road users, especially those transporting passengers to be vigilant when using the roads, and to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy," said Zuma.
In June, a Putco bus accident in Meyerton killed 20 people, including the bus driver, and left 55 people seriously injured.
Mokonyane has requested transport authorities to leave no stone unturned to establish the cause of the crash.
"We appeal to drivers in our province, especially those that transport the public, to always exercise extra caution on the roads and ensure that they obey all rules of the road," she said.
Mokonyane's call was echoed by Cabinet, which issued a statement after their fortnightly meeting, urging drivers to take caution.
"In view of recent, multiple losses of life in accidents involving buses, minibuses and trucks, Cabinet cautions all drivers, especially those transporting passengers, to be more conscious of the rules of the road and calls upon law enforcement officers to ensure that the laws of the road are obeyed," read the statement.
The minibus taxi today was carrying 13 passengers and one person survived the accident.
