​By Staff writter
National Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy, her Deputy Mkhuleko Hlengwa and MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela have expressed deep concern over the spate of recent road crashes involving passenger busses.
This follows an accident on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 along the R21 Highway northbound near the O.R. Tambo Internation Airport Interchange, where a bus overturned resulting in thirteen (13) fatalities. A further seventy-seven other passengers were rushed to hospital for medical attention.
It is reported the crash involved a passenger bus and a light motor vehicle resulting in the bus driver losing control and the bus overturning.
On Monday, 10 March 2025 a multi-vehicles collision along the N12 westbound near the Putfontein road off-ramp in Daveyton, also in the City of Ekurhuleni, resulted in the tragic loss of life. It was reported the accident involved a private scholar transport, transporting the learners to school.
The Minister, her Deputy and MEC Diale-Tlabela have called for heightened caution and vigilance on all motorists and road users to ensure they stay safe on the roads at all times.
They have also expressed and extended their sincere sympathies and condolences to families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, wishing the injured speedy recovery.
The Minister has also expressed concern that this is the third serious bus accident in recent weeks. She has further instructed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to convene a meeting with bus operators soon to discuss strategies and ways to enhance passenger safety in the bus industry.
MEC Diale-Tlabela further reiterated the Provincial Department will be intensifying safety measures on the public roads.
Investigations to establish the cause of the fatal accidents are currently underway.