The Democratic Alliance wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the horror crash on the N2 near Buffalo City this morning and wish those seriously injured a speedy recovery.
The accident, wherein a bus collided with a fuel truck carrying diesel and capsized, took place on the N2 Freeway, just past the Brakfontein Bridge, towards Mthatha.
The diesel tanker caught alight and, although there have been four confirmed fatalities, it is still unclear exactly how many people have lost their lives in this accident, as emergency workers were still working to get the blaze under control.
At least 19 individuals have been rushed to Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals.
The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but it is concerning that the accident scene is located on a stretch of road with a double barrier line.
There is a general lawlessness on Eastern Cape roads, with drivers failing to heed the rules of the road. Drivers have become a law unto themselves because those meant to be enforcing the rules are missing in action!
We need visible traffic law enforcement on our roads, especially over peak traffic periods such as long weekends, and public holidays, if we are to bring down road fatalities in our province.
We need law enforcement on our provincial roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These officers need to be visible, and they need to enforce the law and bring back order to our roads.
I will be writing to the Transport MEC, Weziwe Tikana-Gothiwe, to call for a full investigation into the cause of this accident.
Sadly, without law and order returning to our roads, we will continue to have to bear witness to more unnecessary deaths.