Mpuma crash death toll rises to nine

02062010. Members of the ER24 were stoped by the members of the Tshwane Metro Police and told that something was wrong with they lights Picture: Sizwe Ndingane

02062010. Members of the ER24 were stoped by the members of the Tshwane Metro Police and told that something was wrong with they lights Picture: Sizwe Ndingane

Published Jul 25, 2014

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Johannesburg - Two more people have died in an accident in Rockydrift, Nelspruit, bringing the death toll to nine, the Mpumalanga community safety department said on Friday.

“Seven people died on the spot, while two who sustained serious injuries died in hospital,” spokesman Joseph Mabuza said in a statement.

Eight people were injured when the minibus taxi overturned on the R40.

ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the taxi was found lying in the veld about 10m from the road.

Mabuza said the taxi was coming from Kabokweni and failed to stop at an intersection.

“It passed both lanes from White River and lanes from Nelspruit and hit a pavement.”

It overturned, ejecting passengers and the driver.

Mabuza said 12 people were seriously injured when four cars collided at the same intersection on Thursday.

The department's MEC Vusi Shongwe said the accidents indicated motorists were not obeying road rules.

He said minibus drivers had to take responsibility for the lives of their passengers.

“Taxi owners must ensure that their drivers are properly trained and fit to be on the road. We can't lose so many lives due to recklessness of drivers.”

Shongwe and the Mpumalanga legislature sent condolences to the families of those killed.

“As the Mpumalanga legislature we send our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families following another devastating accident in our province,” speaker Thandi Shongwe said in a statement.

Sapa

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