Twelve people including a three-year-old child have lost lives on three separate accidents in the North West over the weekend.
This is recorded as one of the deadliest weekends by the department since the festive period.
“In an accident between a sedan and light delivery vehicle on the Lichtenburg to Biesiesvlei road, seven people died instantaneously when the two vehicles collided head on in the late afternoon on Friday, 01 March.
In a separate accident around 16:00 a taxi collided head on with a sedan on N4 on the road between Zeerust and Dinokana towards Botswana border.
The driver and three passengers from the taxi died whilst three other passengers, one critical, were taken to the hospital,” said the spokesperson of the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Lucas Mothibedi.
Mothibedi added that one of the injured people was later discharged from the hospital.
Meanwhile, in a third accident, a 72-year-old woman died after being hit by a speeding vehicle on N4 near Dinokana in what law enforcement officers described as a “hit and run.”
According to Mothibedi, the driver in this accident is still unknown and investigations are underway.
The department appealed to motorists to exercise caution on the province roads.
“MEC Sello Lehari sends his deepest condolences to the nearest and dearest of the deceased and wishes speedy recovery to the injured.
He appeals to all motorists, to continue to be patient on the roads and inspect vehicles for roadworthiness before taking trips,” added Mothibedi.
During the festive season road statistics, the province recorded 127 fatalities, a 2.1% decline compared to the year 2022.
