Belfast - Mozambican government authorities are trying to establish the names of the Mozambican citizens who were among 18 people killed in a horrific road accident in Mpumalanga on Thursday morning.
Mozambique's Consul to Mpumalanga and Limpopo, Arthur Verissimo, told BuaNews that officials from his office were sent to the scene to investigate.
"We are working very hard to establish the names of the passengers whose charred bodies were found on the scene. It will be easy for us to establish the names of the passengers, but it won't be easy for us to know who is who because the people were burnt beyond recognition," said Verissimo.
Verissimo said his office was also arranging to meet with the families of the deceased.
He said although the details of the accident were still sketchy, it is believed driver fatigue could have played a part in the head-on collision.
The accident, involving a minibus taxi and a truck, happened at around 4am on the N4 in Belfast.
"The fact that the accident happened in the early hours of the morning shows that the driver did not sleep. We would therefore like to urge our people to use safe transport when they want to come to South Africa to do shopping," said Verissimo.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison Department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said the taxi, which was heading to Johannesburg with 16 passengers and a driver on board, lost control and collided head-on with a truck that was heading towards Mbombela.
"The minibus, carrying 17 people (including the driver), veered out of its lane and collided head-on with the truck. The truck dragged the minibus and both vehicles caught fire, burning passengers and both drivers beyond recognition," said Mabuza.
Mabuza said 14 charred bodies of the passengers were removed from the wreckage while three others who were flung out of the taxi were found dead next to the road. The driver of the truck also died.
It was initially reported that 17 people had died in the accident.
He said while the cause of the accident was not clear, it was found that the taxi had been overloaded.
"The taxi had 17 people including the driver but it was only made to carry 15 people, including the driver," said Mabuza.
Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele has sent his condolences to the families of the deceased. He also warned against irresponsible driving.
He said government law enforcement agencies would continue to ensure that they become more aggressive in dealing with irresponsible drivers to protect the lives of innocent people.
"Our law enforcement and emergency services officials are out in full force to ensure safe roads, particularly during the December holidays. No mercy will be shown to any person who disobeys road rules," warned Ndebele.
Ndebele said his road safety campaign was already underway.
He said last month more than 365 000 public transport and freight drivers and vehicles were checked, and more than 3 000 un-roadworthy vehicles removed from South Africa's roads.
