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KWAZULU-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Willies Mchunu, has expressed sadness following a bakkie accident last night (31 May 2015) claimed five lives in Vryheid.
According to the Department of Transport’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), a bakkie was carrying occupants from a wedding in Vryheid travelling to Ngome on R618, when the accident happened.

It is reported that an argument ensued between a front seat occupant and a driver, which resulted in the driver of the vehicle losing control, causing it to veer off its route and passengers flung out.

There were five people who died on the scene, with nine people who sustained critical injuries having been taken to the local hospital.  At a time of the accident the bakkie was carrying 13 occupants.
RTI confirmed that the driver was arrested after he tested positive for alcohol consumption, which was way beyond the legal breath alcohol content limit of 0.24 milligram per 1, 000 ml or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100 ml.
Reacting to the news of this tragic accident, MEC Mchunu expressed disappointment that people had to lose their lives in such an avoidable circumstance because of the alleged argument and drunk driving.
“This accident is a classic example of the scale of the damage drinking and driving is causing in our society and in road fatalities. Once again this accident was as a result of negligence on the part of the driver and his occupants. We will note tire on our call for all road users to take personal and collective responsibility for their safety on the road by complying with safety standards and avoid taking overloads.  We welcome the arrest of the driver who was found to have taken alcohol, and will await the findings of the accident investigation.  Having said this, we do wish to send our deepest condolences to all the affected families which have lost their loved ones,” said MEC Mchunu.

Issued by KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison