EASTERN CAPE – The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is deeply concerned by the alarming levels of lawlessness witnessed on the province’s roads this weekend.
According to provincial transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, a total of 70 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Three separate crashes claimed no fewer than eight lives on 30 November alone.
He said that the worst of the incidents occurred on the N10 near Cookhouse, where five people tragically lost their lives in a collision involving two trucks and a bakkie.
“The scene required a full road closure as emergency personnel worked tirelessly to assist victims and clear the wreckage,” said Binqose.
He said that just hours later, a head-on collision on the R72 near Kidds Beach outside East London claimed two more lives.
Binqose said that in a third and deeply troubling incident, a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run on the N2 near Ntabozuko (Berlin) late on the evening of 30 November, bringing the day’s death toll to eight.
Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed his condolences to the affected families and reiterated his call for safer road behaviour as the festive season approaches.
“These crashes are a painful reminder that reckless driving, speeding and alcohol abuse remain the biggest threats to road safety in our province. We call on all road users to act responsibly and value their own lives and those of others. No family deserves to receive a knock on the door to be told their loved one is not coming home,” said Nqatha.
The Department also extended gratitude to first responders and law enforcement officers who worked around the clock to manage scenes, save lives and enforce the law.
“We salute all emergency personnel who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend, and we commend our traffic officers for arresting 70 intoxicated drivers. Their dedication undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. Without their hard work, the situation could have been far worse,” said Nqatha.
As holiday traffic volumes begin to rise, the Department warns that operations targeting drunk driving, speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and reckless behaviour will be intensified across all major routes.
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