This as 42 people, including 24 young people returning from Youth Day commemorations in Polokwane, died in horrific accidents in Limpopo over the weekend.  

The overloaded minibus taxi the youth were traveling in collided with a bus along the R81 road near Giyani on Sunday. A 25th passenger in the taxi is in hospital after sustaining serious injuries. In the bus, the driver and two passengers sustained serious injuries.

Another crash on the same road early on Sunday claimed six lives when two cars collided head-on. One of the cars caught fire and burned out with two occupants trapped inside. 

Petros Sithole, IFP spokesperson on transport, said in a statement that a back-to-basics approach was required to address the root causes of accidents on the roads. 

Sithole said the lack of driver education, driver well-being and law enforcement have over the past few years been wanting. 

"We believe that learner driving in schools must form part of life orientation within the school curriculum and it will also serve to prepare our young people for skills and jobs of the future," he said. 

"Furthermore, random sampling for re-testing of existing driver’s licenses on the basis of a lottery system would also ensure that drivers are always aware and up to speed with their road rules and driving abilities." 

Sithole said the IFP challenged the taxi and bus industry for greater training of drivers and stricter measures for the issuing of PDPs to drivers. 

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula will on Tuesday meet Limpopo traffic officials in Polokwane following fatal crashes in the province over the long weekend.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday expressed sadness at the death of the 24 youngsters.

ANA