Mbalula released the statistics against the backdrop of the devastating liquified gas tanker explosion in Boksburg on Christmas Eve, which has claimed the lives of 40 people to date and left several others still fighting for their lives in hospital.
Mbalula noted that a number of those killed in the Boksburg tragedy were health and rescue workers who put their lives in harm’s way in the service of helping others. This is heart-wrenching and a tragedy that should never have happened,” he said.
“We, therefore, pay our respects to all those who lost their lives on our roads this festive season. We equally keep them in our prayers and wish a speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries and continue to recover either in the hospital or at home. Mbalula added that the number of fatal crashes was down 6.5% in the period under review.
He said the number of fatalities was down in most provinces, including the Eastern Cape, with the only increase in road deaths recorded in Gauteng.
“Eastern Cape – fatalities dropped from 210 to 205 resulting in a 2.5% reduction,” said the Minister. In Gauteng, road deaths increased from 275 to 290 resulting in a 5.5% increase.”
Mbalula says on 3 January 2023, a male driver was arrested with breath alcohol levels of 3.99 milligrams per thousand millilitres (3.99mg/1000ml) which is 16.6 times above the limit.
He said this could not be acceptable by any measure. The man was one of 947 drivers arrested for drunk driving. Minister Mbalula says speeding infringements remain high on the offence list at 32 110.
He says on the 22nd of December, a VW Golf 7 driver was arrested travelling at 238km/h on the N1 in Wierdabrug, while a Subaru driver was arrested on the 3rd of January driving at 233km/h on the N4 in Bronkhorstspruit. Both drivers were granted bail of R1 000.
Source: SABC
In other news – Sithelo Shozi deactivates Instagram account
Sithelo Shozi has deactivated her Instagram account. The DJ has been serving sizzling content over the months, and without notice, she’s decided to stay off social media.
Sithelo didn’t explain why she made such a move, but she’s made headlines recently with her case with her baby daddy, Andile Mpisane, and his mother, Shauwn Mkhize. Learn more
