Minister Madikizela visits Gugulethu families following tragic death of children

Minister Madikizela visits Gugulethu families following tragic death of four children

I visited the families of the four children who tragically died after falling into a hole at the N2 Borcherds Quarry intersection at Nyanga on Monday.

The purpose of my visit today was to extend sincere personal condolences to the families. Our thoughts are with the families during this heartbreaking time.

I also inspected the site where this tragic incident occurred.

We are undertaking a full investigation and details will be released once the findings are received. 

Public safety is my Department’s highest priority and we undertake to remain vigilant at all times.

The Department of Transport and Public Works and its contractors inspect all Provincial road infrastructure several times a week and repair and replace as required to ensure safety for road users.  The structural integrity of infrastructure such as the Borcherds Quarry bridge on the N2 has not been compromised.

As previously reported, it is our understanding that over the previous weekend, criminals had dug out large amounts of sand from the embankment of the road and this resulted in the material above collapsing while the children were playing there, unaware of this danger.

I therefore call on SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to increase policing in this area to prevent other incidents from happening.

I also urge community members to report any knowledge of this sort of criminal activity as soon as it happens.

Community members can report this sort of criminal activity by calling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.

We must continue to do everything possible to prevent a tragedy such as this happening again.