Twelve people lost their lives in two separate accidents which happened
over the weekend in Dutywa and Mt Frere, while 12 others sustained injuries.
According
to the Spokesperson for Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, the first
accident happened at Dangwana locality in Mt Frere towards Qumbu on Saturday, where four people lost their lives and five sustained injuries when a single
vehicle lost control and overturned.
“The vehicle, an Isuzu LDV with suspected eight
occupants, was travelling from Mt Frere (allegedly from Matatiele Church as all
congregants are from Mqanduli) towards Qumbu. The driver lost control of the
vehicle and it overturned.
“Two men and two women were declared dead on the scene by
emergency services, while the others sustained injuries ranging from slight to severe, including the driver,” said Binqose.
He added that the
circumstances surrounding the cause of accident is still unknown at this stage.
In another accident that took place on Sunday evening, Binqose confirmed that
eight people also lost their lives, while seven were injured after a
single vehicle lost control and overturned on the N2 in Dutywa at Doti Locality towards
Mthatha.
“The driver lost control of the Isuzu vehicle with 15 occupants (including the driver) and the vehicle overturned. Eight occupants were declared dead on the scene while four other occupants, including the driver, sustained severe injuries. The other three occupants
sustained serious injuries.”
According to Binqose the injured were taken to Butterworth
Hospital and the Dutywa Community Health Centre for further medical treatment.
He confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident was
still unknown at this stage.
Cases of culpable homicide for both accidents were opened at Mount Frere
and Dutywa Police Stations for further investigations.
