Johannesburg - Parliament's transport portfolio committee is saddened by the accident on the Moloto road, in Mpumalanga, in which 29 people died, chairwoman Ruth Bhengu said on Tuesday.
“It is worrying that the notorious Moloto road continues to rob families of their loved ones and leave families destitute as breadwinners are lost,” she said.
“It is even more worrying that the accident happened as the country prepares itself for the festive season, when many lives are lost on South Africa's roads. We cannot continue to lose so many lives on our roads.”
Twenty-nine people died and 30 were injured when a bus and a truck collided on Monday night along the Moloto road near Kwaggafontein.
Bhengu called for a full investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
She said implementation of the Moloto Rail Corridor project would help reduce the high number of accidents on the road.
“The implementation will also give commuters an alternative service they can use, rather than rely on one mode of transportation despite the risks.”
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said a team would investigate the accident.
It would consist of officials from the transport department, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, and the Mpumalanga government.
“The team's brief is not limited to determining what caused the crash, but also includes coming up with proposed interventions to ensure the prevention of a further recurrence,” Peters said.
Bus company Putco confirmed on Tuesday morning that the bus involved was from its fleet.
Spokesman Romeo More said the bus driver was among those killed.
“Putco's managing director Franco Pisapia expressed his shock at the horrific accident,” he said.
“A full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident and Putco will co-operate fully with authorities in this regard.”
Sapa