MEC shocked at bakkie accident that injured 22

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for health and acting MEC for transport‚ community safety and liaison‚ Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo‚ on Thursday expressed shock at a bakkie accident that injured 22 learners in the Ngwavuma area.

According to preliminary reports‚ the driver of the bakkie lost control and overturned on a gravel road near KwaJona reserve‚ Ngwavuma. The injured were taken to the Mosvold hospital.

“We are thankful that no life has been lost‚ but we strongly decry the fact that this accident happened in the first instance.

“We also do not understand why a bakkie would overload to this level‚ where it carries 22 young people - in itself a recipe for disaster.

“The law makes it clear that it is illegal to use bakkies to carry passengers for profit.

“That is why the provincial government is working to resolve the challenge of learner transport in areas that remain underdeveloped‚” said Dhlomo.

RDM News Wire.