04 Jun 2023

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale has, on behalf of government, sent condolences to the families of the 22 people who perished in a horrific accident along the A3 Road recently.

Briefing the Tutume district leadership and dikgosi of Marapong, Sebina and Semitwe at the accident scene where the mini bus and a truck had collided, Minister Molale said accidents did not only affect families that had lost their loved ones but the nation as whole.

“It is disheartening for people to lose their lives in such a horrific manner. As government we are sending condolences to the families and the nation. These accidents bring trauma to all the people even those not directly affected,” he said.

He noted that just recently, seven people died in a road accident, in Molapowabojang while in July last year on the same A3 Road, 16 people died following a similar accident which involved public transport mini buses and a truck.

He said though the roads were in a bad state and needed maintenance, road users should be cautious and observe safety precautions in order to save lives.

“Some are pointing fingers at the government when such accidents happen but road safety measures should be observed by road users,” he said.

Furthermore, Minister Molale challenged relevant stakeholders to sensitise people on road safety.

“Government on the other hand will take up responsibilities of ensuring that proper process of acquiring licenses are followed while at the same time vehicles are fully inspected for road worthiness,” he added.

He further said the ministry had an accident investigations unit which had been tasked to be a part of the investigating team working with the police on the recent accident in order for government to have a detailed report on what had transpired.

In addition, Mr Molale said the A3 Road was among those that government had secured funds for their construction and were only awaiting completion of tendering processes.

Meanwhile, the district traffic officer No. 1, Superintendent Robert Mmese informed Minister Molale that it took them almost five hours to clear the road at the accident scene.

Supt. Mmese commended other stakeholders as well as medical officers who assisted them at the scene and for the seven victims that were still alive to be rushed to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital and Riverside Private Hospital.

“Two from the seven with severe injuries are the ones that were taken to Riverside Private Hospital and the 22 that were certified dead on the scene were taken to mortuaries with 15 taken Nyangabgwe, three Jubilee and four to Ruth private mortuary,” he said. Ends