Admin
21 Oct, 2025
UDM mourns six lives lost in yet another Limpopo road tragedy
Statement by Stanley Manaka, Provincial Chairperson of the United Democratic Movement in Limpopo The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Limpopo expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the six people who lost their lives in the horrific crash on the R524 near Thohoyandou. We extend our sympathies to those who were injured and wish them a full and speedy recovery. This tragedy, coming so soon after the devastating bus accident that claimed 43 lives on the N1, has once again plunged our province into mourning. The loss of life on our roads has reached alarming proportions, and it is heartbreaking that Limpopo has become synonymous with repeated transport disasters. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in South Africa, yet enforcement is inconsistent and often reactive. The UDM in Limpopo believes that stricter monitoring, including the use of speed cameras and mobile enforcement units, must become a permanent feature of our road safety strategy. Drivers who ignore speed limits endanger not only their own lives but also the lives of innocent passengers and pedestrians. The UDM in Limpopo calls on the provincial government, law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Transport to act urgently. The time has come for tighter enforcement of traffic regulations, more visible policing on high-risk routes, and thorough investigations into the causes of such crashes. Authorities must ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, that drivers adhere to all speed limits, and that reckless driving is met with swift and firm consequences. These repeated tragedies can no longer be treated as routine news. They are a national disgrace and a provincial emergency. Limpopo cannot continue to lose its people to preventable road carnage. This latest accident must be the final warning to all responsible authorities to act with urgency and resolve. The time has come to make road safety a standing priority, to intensify public education on responsible driving, and to ensure that every journey taken on our roads is a safe one.
Admin
13 Oct, 2025
Heartbreak on South Africa’s roads: safety of passengers should never be overlooked
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of lives following the shocking bus accident that occurred on the N1 North, near Ingwe Lodge in Limpopo, yesterday, and the taxi accident that left 18 children injured on the N3 highway near the Mariannhill Toll Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal this morning. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the grieving families, survivors, and everyone affected by these painful incidents. These tragedies are a tender reminder of how fragile life is. Moments of national sorrow such as these remind us of the ongoing challenges facing our transport systems. Every journey, whether short or long, depends on a transport network that must be both reliable and safe. Consequently, we must confront the conditions that allow some of these accidents to happen. South Africa’s transport infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened as a matter of urgency. It is imperative to have regular and consistent vehicle inspections to determine the roadworthiness of cars, buses, taxis, and scholar transport vehicles. Equally important is ensuring that drivers transporting passengers, particularly schoolchildren, hold valid Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) and comply fully with all safety requirements. Regular vehicle inspections and strict adherence to roadworthiness standards are critical in preventing such tragedies. The safety of passengers should never be overlooked. As a country, we must continue to strengthen our transport infrastructure and promote a culture of safety and accountability. These tragic incidents should compel authorities to prioritise transport safety and to reinforce monitoring systems. Such measures are essential to a broader national commitment to safeguarding lives on our roads.
Admin
13 Sep, 2025
Stop the loss: ensuring safe school transport in KwaZulu-Natal
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Movement in KwaZulu-Natal is deeply saddened by the tragic news of the fatal taxi accident in Imbali Unit 18, which claimed the lives of five young learners and left several others injured. Our hearts go out to the families, classmates, teachers, and communities affected by this devastating incident. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight, regulation, and enforcement of learner transport services across our province. Children entrusted to the care of transport operators must be guaranteed safe passage to and from school. The repeated occurrence of learner transport accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, including this being the second incident in a week, signals a systemic failure in both road safety enforcement and transport management. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal calls for immediate interventions, including: • Comprehensive inspections of all school transport vehicles to ensure roadworthiness and compliance with safety standards. • Accountability measures for transport operators who fail to meet legal and safety requirements. • Implementation of robust safety protocols and driver training programs for those responsible for transporting learners. • Enhanced coordination between the Department of Education, Department of Transport, law enforcement agencies, and local authorities to prevent future tragedies. The safety of our scholars is non-negotiable. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal urges all relevant authorities to act decisively and to make the protection of learners a top priority, so that no parent, guardian, or community has to endure such heartbreak again. We express our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and classmates of the learners who tragically lost their lives in the Imbali Unit 18 accident. We share in the grief and anguish of the affected communities during this incredibly difficult time. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all those who were injured, and we call on authorities to ensure that they receive the necessary medical care, counselling, and support.
Admin
01 Mar, 2017
UDM calls for effective rescue on the mine accident in Boksburg – statement by Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is saddened by the horrible accident of the 5-year-old boy who fell into a mine shaft while playing with friends in Boksburg last Saturday. The UDM calls for effective rescue assistance in making sure that the boy is brought back. We cannot allow a similar incident to that of Lilly Mine be repeated where mine workers were never recovered with authorities implying instability of the ground. A lot more effort must be put in place making sure that such victims are retrieved. Looking at the area, where this accident took place there are no warning signs and yet there are community members living around and this makes people more vulnerable and prone to danger. As UDM, we call for an investigation into this horrible accident. This is so unfortunate and we believe it could have been avoided by all means by those responsible for the abandoned mine. Someone must be held liable and must account for the accident which occurred at unattended mine. The Department of Mineral Resources must take the blame as it is supposed to secure all the abandoned mines. If no actions are being taken, a lot more community members will be victims of such horrible accidents.
