Road accidents during the Heritage Day weekend have claimed the lives of 20 people in East London, Butterworth, Dutywa, Ngqamakhwe, Humansdorp, Bhisho, Aliwal North, Cala and Humansdorp.
According to Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose, the major causes of the accidents were human error and the use of alcohol.
Binqose said that six lives we lost in two separate accidents on Saturday, September 24. One in Cathcart and the other one in Peddie.
“In Cathcart, at about 02:00, two vehicles collided head-on. Three people died on the scene, while six sustained severe injuries. An SUV collided with a mini-bus taxi, three passengers from the minibus died on the scene, while six sustained severe injuries,” said Binqose.
He added that hours later on the N2 road in Peddie, towards Makhanda near Nompumelelo Hospital, three occupants died on the scene.
“The driver of a VW Polo with four occupants lost control of the vehicle. The passengers are believed to have been relatives returning from a family gathering in Qonce.”
Binqose said that culpable homicide cases have been opened for each of the cases.
