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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu and members of his executive council have assured the families of the victims of the recent road accident at the weekend in KwaXimba, Cato Ridge, that government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal will never desert them during this difficult period.

This will be a long and agonizing week for the families. No amount of words can express our deepest sympathies to these families for the pain and irreparable loss of their beloved ones.

Mchunu remarked: “The whole province has been in mourning following this horrific accident that claimed 19 lives. Since the tragedy, the KZN government represented by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety Mxolisi Kaunda has been in constant contact with the families of the deceased. He has also met the leadership and members of Zion KwaNkonyane Church. We commend the President of the Republic His Excellency J.G Zuma for conveying his message of condolence to the families of behalf of the South African government.”

“I was briefed today that the officials from the Department of Transport met with the families of the deceased to offer the necessary support as they begin the difficult task of identifying the bodies of their loved ones. The trauma that has been experienced by the families will take many years to heal but we hope that the support to be provided by the provincial government will assist in healing their broken hearts.”

“The MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi and MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo have ensured that a team of officials from their departments that provides support to the families.”

“Amongst the interventions we are making include ensuring that post-mortems are conducted speedily,  assigning social workers to provide on continuous basis, psycho-social services to the families and church members during this period of grief. The psycho-social services will also be provided during funeral ceremonies. The Department of Transport will make a formal announcement regarding a memorial service including funeral arrangements after consultation with the families and the church.”

“Most importantly, we are also reaching out to the families and  church members to provide the necessary emotional support. These will be continuously done by the MECs and their respective teams of government officials and social workers. Mayors representing Umgungundlovu and Umsunduzi municipalities are also supporting the affected families.”

“We want to express our gratitude to the religious leaders, friends, neighbors, community leaders and ordinary members of society for offering support to the affected families. This is what is called Ubuntu, which is a cornerstone of our values as South African nation.”

“I want to emphasize that as the people of KwaZulu-Natal we are once again called upon by such incidents, to be vigilant on the road and ensure that we save lives.”

Issued by the KNZ Office of the Premier