MPUMALANGA – Eighteen (18) more people have died on Mpumalanga roads during the Easter weekend holidays.
This is despite the no-nonsense stance the province adopted in an attempt to quell fatalities on the roads.
The deaths occurred in various crashes as traffic volumes increased between April 17 and 19.
The Easter weekend death toll appears to have increased slightly for three consecutive years – with 15 deaths recorded in 2023 and 17 last year.
Nkangala District reportedly recorded more than half of the fatalities.
The crashes started occurring just a day after the Easter weekend road safety launch, during which 50 traffic enforcement vehicles were unveiled to monitor road safety on Wednesday, 16 April.
The Community Safety, Security and Liaison Department, led by MEC Jackie Macie, also demonstrated the department’s commitment by declaring a zero-tolerance approach.
Macie told the media on Sunday, April 20, that most of the deadly collisions could have been avoided had motorists heeded calls to adhere to the rules.
“I believe that if all road users can prioritise their own safety and that of others, deadly crashes would be drastically reduced,” he said.
The province also reported over 100 arrests for alleged drinking and driving since the beginning of the Easter weekend, Thursday, April 17.
Macie also lauded the arrest of more than 100 suspects for drinking and driving, saying it was important to reign in on such behaviour, considering the devastating consequences road crashes bring to many families.
HC Archive: Mpumalanga records 18 more road deaths during recent Easter weekend despite increased visibility and zero-tolerance stance by government.
