COSATU NW conveys message of condolence to the victims of the accident on R503
3 May 2014

Mahikeng- The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West province have learned with sadness about the tragic death of five correctional officers and one policeman who were all members of its affiliate POPCRU.

The officials died after a tragic accident which happened between Mafikeng and Rooigrond yesterday in the afternoon.

“COSATU has several times questioned the state of the roads in the province but our call has fallen on deaf ears, while at the same time the roads in the province continue to claim the lives of innocent motorists and their passengers” Cosatu provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said.

Phetoe said the R503 road has been notorious for accidents which claim many lives.

“This has been happening for many years and our belief is that the accidents on that road are caused by the traffic volumes which divert on to that road to avoid an expensive toll gate near Swartruggens” he said.

COSATU calls on the Department of Transport, both national and in the province, to speed up the work of looking at the condition of the roads in the province. COSATU further demands that a thorough investigation must be made on the said accident.

COSATU conveys a message of condolence to the families who have lost their loved ones and to POPCRU which have lost members. They said may the departed souls rest in peace.

“We hope our government will take responsibility for all the funeral costs and the counselling of the family members and the workers who worked closely with those departed.” Phetoe concludes.-TDN
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