
=====================================================================
Breifing on the Kei Cuttings bus crash by Minister Dullah Omar
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Role players

[         w



MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 30 DECEMBER 2000

KEI CUTTINGS BUS CRASH SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, DRIVER TO BLAME

We were deeply shocked when we heard of the terrible tragedy that took place at the Kei Cuttings. A bus owned by DMJ Bus Service, carrying 
73 passengers, went out of control and landed in a ditch.

In previous years, accidents have occurred at Kei Cuttings, but on the Transkei side of the bridge. As a result, the South African National 
Roads Agency was asked to look at the road design in the area. This it has done, and reconstruction is in progress. Since then, we have 
seen a reduction of accidents on the Kei Cuttings.

This accident, however, occurred on the East London side of the bridge. The road condition here is good, properly marked and it has 
barriers on both sides of the road. Because of the mountainous nature of the region, the road - no matter how good - will always be a 
winding one, going up and down through various hills. It will always require drivers to drive with special care and at a reduced speed. 
Driving through the cuttings at speed could easily lead to accidents.

The tragedy which occurred on December 23 can be ascribed to driver negligence. Twenty people lost their lives. We want to express our 
heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. In addition, we would like to express our sympathies to all, and wish those 50 
people who were injured a speedy recovery.

The Eastern Cape has been particularly hard hit over this holiday period. As of December 28, 124 people had been killed on Eastern Cape 
Roads since the beginning of December. Close second is KwaZulu-Natal with 120, followed by Gauteng at 110. Nearly 700 people have died on 
our roads since the beginning of the holiday period, which started on December 1. 250 of them were pedestrians, while 161 were drivers. 274 
were passengers.

Of great concern is the fact that mostly, the victims of major accidents involving buses and minibus taxis are black and poor. Over 90% of 
the pedestrians involved in accidents this festive season were indeed both black and poor. The statistics of South African fatalities 
mirrors the reality of South African society. The more helpless someone is in daily life, the more that person is likely to become a victim 
on South African roads.

We owe it to the victims of this accident and all other accidents to change the situation in our country and end the carnage on our roads. 
These kinds of accidents should not happen. Over 90% of accidents in South Africa are caused by irresponsible and reckless driver 
behaviour.

From the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Site Map
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases | Links
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


