Creecy and Hlengwa express grave concern over rising public transport road fatalities

Creecy and Hlengwa express grave concern over rising public transport road fatalities

The nation’s roads have turned deadly in recent weeks, prompting Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, to voice serious concern about a spate of public transport crashes that have claimed numerous lives.

Among the most tragic incidents was a head-on collision on the R553 Golden Highway in Vanderbijlpark, where 14 children lost their lives in a crash with a truck just two weeks ago. The grief continues in KwaZulu-Natal, where eleven people died in a collision on the R102 near Lotus Park in Isipingo, and eight others were rushed to hospital with critical injuries. Earlier this week, at least nine schoolchildren were injured in another school transport accident in the province.

Ministers call for swift investigation and caution

Speaking through her spokesperson Collen Msibi, Minister Creecy urged road users to exercise extreme caution while travelling. Both Creecy and Hlengwa have directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to investigate the recent Durban crash in collaboration with local authorities.

“The preliminary report is expected within 48 hours,” Msibi said, adding that the ministers have extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

KZN authorities demand murder charges against drivers

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department has now escalated the matter, calling for murder charges against the drivers involved in the Isipingo crash. Transport MEC Sibiniso Duma, who visited the scene, described the tragedy as a “painful moment” for the province.

According to Duma, investigations revealed that the truck had worn-out tyres, while the taxi was overloaded, underscoring ongoing safety challenges in the province’s public transport sector.

A national safety crisis

These incidents are symptomatic of a broader public transport safety crisis in South Africa. Overloading, poorly maintained vehicles, and reckless driving are recurring concerns that have repeatedly led to catastrophic accidents.

Social media has erupted in grief and outrage, with many calling for stricter enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness standards, heavier penalties for negligent drivers, and urgent oversight of school transport and taxis.

Experts warn that without a coordinated crackdown on unsafe vehicles and driver negligence, fatalities are likely to continue. Creecy and Hlengwa’s response signals a push for rapid interventions, but South Africans are waiting to see whether investigations will translate into real safety improvements on the country’s roads.