A large crowd gathers under a tent for a funeral service. Mourners gather at Umkhasandoda Sports Ground in Folweni to bid farewell to five members of the Gumede family, who tragically lost their lives in a road accident. Picture: Supplied
Durban: KwaZulu-Natal authorities have arrested more than 10 taxi drivers and deployed an additional 197 traffic officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to enforce road safety.
This is according to KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who was speaking at the funeral of an eThekwini family on Monday.
Nonzuzo Gumede and her children, Samkelo, Mpendulo, Mnqobi, and Nqobile were killed in an accident while they were travelling on the N3 in the vicinity of Harrismith. Their vehicle collided with a truck.
A mass funeral was held on Monday, 16 December at Umkhasandoda Sports Ground in Folweni.
Duma joined mourners to pay his respects and expressed his condolences to the family and the community.
“No family deserves such pain, especially during this time of the year when families are spending time together,” Duma said.
He thanked neighbours and religious leaders for the support they have shown to the family and confirmed that the Department of Transport had assisted with the funeral arrangements to ensure the family was given a dignified farewell.
Duma highlighted the importance of road safety during the festive season and reiterated the department’s commitment to reducing road accidents.
In the wake of the accident, he revealed that more than ten taxi drivers had been arrested for driving without professional driving permits (PrDP). Among those arrested was a driver from the Eastern Cape involved in a separate collision on the N3 near Van Reenen’s Pass.
“We will have no mercy on anyone driving passengers without a PrDP,” Duma warned. He reminded drivers that a PrDP is a legal requirement for anyone transporting goods, dangerous goods, or passengers for income.
The MEC also outlined the department’s ongoing road safety operations, which include integrated roadblocks across the province.
In a recent roadblock on the R617 in Underberg, more than 585 vehicles were stopped, and 24 people were charged for various road offences. Eight vehicles, including seven taxis and one bus, were impounded, and 12 summonses were issued.
“Our team is carrying out similar operations in other satellite stations such as Gingindlovu, Jozini, and Phongolo, bringing the total number of stations to 26,” Duma said.
In a separate incident, a truck from Zambia loaded with copper collided with a bus and two cars at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza after experiencing brake failure.
“About ten passengers from the bus were taken to Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and are receiving medical attention,” Duma confirmed.
He said the truck driver admitted to brake failure, which prompted the MEC to call for accountability.
“We believe that the owner of the truck must be held accountable,” he said, adding that roadworthiness inspections are being strengthened across the province.
The MEC also welcomed the deployment of 197 additional traffic officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
He said these officers will assist in enforcing traffic rules and monitoring hazardous areas known for frequent crashes and fatalities, including Durban, Mtubatuba, and Ugu.
Duma emphasised the importance of road safety, particularly during the festive season, when road traffic increases. “The safety of road users remains our priority,” he said.