Durban – At least four of the 12 people, who perished in the Weekend horror crash along the R66 Mooi River to Greytown were from Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma announced on Monday.
“We have discovered that about four of the deceased are foreign nationals from Lesotho,” MEC Duma said.
“We wish to announce that a team of experienced professionals from the department, which was assigned to visit families, is making progress.
“In particular, regarding the road accident in R66 Mooi River to Greytown that resulted in the deaths of 12 people.”
The horror collision between a white Toyota Hilux NP 241354 and a Toyota Fortuner occurred on Saturday, (31 August 2024), at approximately 16:45 along the R622 Mooi River.
Seven passengers in a White Toyota Hilux LDV and their driver passed away at the crash scene at marker board 43, Road P14.2 Greytown.
The driver of the Toyota Fortuner and two passengers died on the scene and another person succumbed to her injuries at Greytown Hospital.
In total, 12 people died.
Apart from the four Lesotho nationals, two other deceased persons have been identified – one is from Kokstad and another one is from eThekwini Municipality.
“Working with the South African Police Service, we are engaging with their employer to trace their next of kin and to confirm other details,” MEC Duma explained.
“In addition, we will be approaching the Lesotho High Commission in Pretoria through the Department of International Relations and Corporation (DIRCO), to discuss the repatriation of the mortal remains of their citizens.”
Earlier, MEC Duma lamented the high number of people who lost their lives in road crashes over the weekend.
“A dark cloud is hanging over the province following the death of 21 people in separate road accidents,” MEC Duma said.
“No amount of words can express our deepest sympathies to the families for the pain and irreparable loss of their beloved ones.
“By and large, this is the first biggest carnage on our roads under the 7th Administration here in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are shocked and in disbelief.”
On the same day, at about 10:00 there was a single-vehicle crash along the R74 Sambaba area, uMzinyathi District.
The Toyota Minibus left the roadway, crashing into the guard rails, down an embankment, overturned, and caught alight killing six females.
The uMkhonto WeSiwe (MK) Party has since identified the dead women as its members.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said while they can never fully dissect the anatomy of the pain caused by such grief, they send their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to their next of kin.
Eleven injured passengers were taken to Untunjambili Hospital.
In another crash on Saturday, a Toyota Hilux and the Opel Corsa collided head-on at about 18:36 along the R74 – Sappi intersection, near KwaDukuza.
Three passengers in the Opel Corsa passed died on the scene.
