By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 June 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Tuesday called for zero tolerance road traffic law enforcement and improved visibility in order to reduce the carnage on public roads. The call is in the aftermath of the recent road accident that claimed 12 lives on the R24 near Vryheid in KwaZulu Natal. SAUCIC representing affiliated Federations of Charismatic, Evangelical Outreach Mission Ministries and Pentecostal Churches conveyed condolences to families of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members that lost their lives in the accident that involved a bus and a truck while returning from a Youth Day Rally held in Durban last Monday.
SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said the precious lives of these young people were cut short by this horrific accident attributed to possible reckless driving and speeding responsible for untold misery that has left families devastated, as well as robbed the country of their contribution.
Shole said SAUCIC’s prayers of comfort are with families that are in mourning and that it also wishes those injured a speedy recovery. He appealed for the Easter Road Safety Strategy that resulted in zero fatalities during the annual Zion Christian Church (ZCC) pilgrimage in Limpopo to be replicated to other areas during public holidays and long weekends.
“Religious and political tourism increase traffic on our public roads and require zero tolerance road traffic law operations to clamp down on lawlessness as well as prevent road crashes and fatalities on our roads. One life lost on public roads is a life too many.
“There must therefore be an offense against reckless driving, speeding and drunken driving. Motorists travelling long distances can assist in reducing the carnage on our roads by exercising caution and resting after every two hours to avoid fatigue which is a killer,” concluded Shole.
The Guardian 