Johannesburg - The DA sent condolences on Tuesday to the families and friends of the five correctional services officers and a policeman killed near Rooigrond prison.
“This follows a weekend during which road accidents claimed five lives in the North West province,” Democratic Alliance provincial leader Chris Hattingh said in a statement.
The five prison officials' car collided head-on with a police car on Monday afternoon.
The accident happened around 3pm on the R501, around 5km outside the prison, near Mahikeng, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha's spokesman, Lawrence Ngoveni, said.
The police officer, who was alone in the car, and four prison officials, died on the scene. The sixth person was declared dead on arrival at hospital.
Hattingh said serious accidents that claimed multiple lives had become a regular occurrence on the R501.
“The response of the North West provincial traffic authorities in policing moving traffic violations is deficient. Transgressions such as high-speed overtaking on solid white lines have become the norm.”
This latest accident should force the North West road inspectorate to enforce traffic laws, especially those involving moving violations, he said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends, colleagues and families of the deceased during this hard time.”
Sapa