Deputy Speaker, the EFF wishes to take this moment to express our sincere condolences to the families of Minister Chabane, Sergeant Lentsoane and Sergeant Sekele. We also want to express our condolences to the ANC, the political party of the late Minister who, together with his bodyguards, perished in a car accident on Sunday morning.
Road accidents in South Africa have become a serious national problem that must be tackled head on. The research findings from the Brain Function Research Group at the University of the Witwatersrand revealed that truck drivers sleep less than four hours per day. According to this survey, three quarters of truck drivers are reported being tired on the job due to long working hours, working approximately 93 hours per week.
These revelations are a clear indication that the transport industry needs to be seriously looked into and that proper legislation should be put in place to deal with the service conditions of truck drivers in South Africa. This, however, does not excuse the conduct of people who drive under the influence of alcohol.
Sisonke kufuneka sithi kwanele kubantu abaqhuba benxilile kwaye sithi kwanele kubantu abathatha imiphefumlo ezindleleni. Utywala sebuthathe abantu abaninzi. [Together we must say, enough is enough to drunken drivers who kill people on the roads. Alcohol has killed many people.]
According to the World Health Organisation's Global Status Report on Road Safety 2013, 50% of deaths related to road traffic incidents involve alcohol as indicated by the high volume of alcohol in the bodies of those who have been found dead or driving on the roads.
Lala ngoxolo mnumzana uChabane. Enkosi. [Rest in peace Mr Chabane. Thank you.]