MEC MBALULA AND DEPUTY MINISTER HLENGWA EXPLORE STRATEGIES TO PREVENT ROAD ACCIDENTS

Deputy Minister Hlengwa and MEC Mbalula

By: Neo Ntsele

Jabu Mbalula, the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, conducted stakeholder meetings with Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa at OR Tambo House in Bloemfontein, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.

Monyatso Mahlatsi, the MEC for Health, was also in attendance, along with representatives from the Road Accident Fund, Road Traffic Management Corporation, and various other stakeholders.

The discussions were prompted by a series of fatal car accidents in the Free State province, the most recent being a horrific bus accident on the N1 highway between Trompsburg and Edenburg on 30 July 2026.

Eleven people, including children aged six to ten, lost their lives in the accident.

The bus was en route from Cape Town to Zimbabwe when the tragedy occurred.

“These incidents are not just statistics; they represent real lives lost on our provincial roads. Today’s engagement cannot be business as usual. We must conclude these discussions with the understanding that our roads not only connect places but also connect people to their families and livelihoods,” stated MEC Mbalula.

Deputy Minister Hlengwa noted that from 1 January to 26 July 2026, there has been a rise in road fatalities in the Free State province.

“During this period, there were 407 fatalities in the Free State, compared to 351 recorded last year, marking a 16% increase in road fatalities, which is alarming. These numbers reflect human lives lost. Children have been left without parents, and households without breadwinners,” said Deputy Minister Hlengwa.

He emphasised that the engagement should focus not on assigning blame but on finding lasting solutions to road carnage in the province.

In a startling revelation, it was disclosed that Thabo Mofutsanyana and Fezile Dabi districts account for two-thirds of the road fatalities in the province.

“One life lost is one too many, and I am confident that following this engagement, we will identify practical solutions to our challenges,” said MEC Mbalula.

All participants were encouraged to make clear and actionable commitments, which will be developed into a comprehensive plan to help the department reduce road carnage.