Premier Mabuza says government might consider an alternative mode of transport for Moloto
17 November 2013
Mpumalanga Premier David
Mabuza says government is at the stage of considering an alternative
mode of transport for communities who utilise the notorious Moloto
road.
Speaking at a mass funeral
service in Matshiding today [Sunday, 17 November 2013] for 26 people
who died on Monday after a gruesome accident that involved a bus and
a truck, Mabuza said the government needed to consider the rail as a
mode of transport that could be utilise to ease the large volume of
traffic on Moloto road.
At least four families opted
out from a mass funeral when they buried by their deceased yesterday
[Saturday, 16 November 2013] in different areas.
Mabuza said although the
Moloto Road had been extendedin the past by the provincial
government, there was still a need for rail transport as the large
volume of traffic contributed greatly to accidents.
“No matter how much we can extend the road, it is a reality that the population has increased drastically, the amount of traffic is just too huge and there is too much congestion. We are at a stage of considering an alternative mode of transport that would ease the volume of traffic on Moloto road,” said Mabuza.
He said an environment
impact assessment on the establishment of a railway line study was
done by the provincial government under his leadership while he was
still a member of the executive responsible for roads and transport
in 2007.
He said the report was
tabled to national department of transport; however the change of
leadership in government could have contributed in the delay in the
implementation.
“The matter is high on the agenda of national government and is subject to consideration. Indeed the establishment of a railway line has been long overdue but we are happy that the national government will be making a pronouncement soon.
“The railway line will be a link between Mpumalanga and Gauteng and would go as far as Sekhukhune district in Limpopo. It will not only transport passengers from the areas surrounding Moloto, but will cater for goods of the farmers while it eases the volume of traffic,” said Mabuza.
The Premier further
appreciated all the stakeholders who assisted in the burial of the
30 people adding that government would ensure that the well-being of
the dependants of the deceased were taken care of in the event they
lost breadwinners.
The funeral service was also
attended by amongst others transport minister Dipuo Peters, health
minister Aaron Motswaledi, social development deputy minister Maria
Ntuli, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha and ANC deputy
secretary-general Jessie Dwarte.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Tel: (013) 766 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za