Scores killed in road accidents this weekend
Dozens of people have lost their lives on the road this past weekend.
Horror crashes in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga claimed at least 40 lives.
In KwaXimba, near Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal 20 people died in a taxi crash.
It's believed the taxi's brakes failed - causing it to veer off the road and roll down an embankment in Msunduzi Valley on Sunday.
In Limpopo, seven people died in a head-on collision on Sunday afternoon.
President Jacob Zuma says the unnecessary carnage must be stopped.
"We are saddened beyond words. It cannot be accepted that we lose so many of our people in such a horrific manner. We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to families and relatives of all the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this difficult period. We also wish the injured a speedy recovery," Zuma says.
Fourteen people have died on the roads in Mpumalanga since Friday, that's according to the provincial community safety department.
The victims died in six separate crashes.
One major crash claimed the lives of six people on Sunday.
The spokesperson for the provincial community safety department, Joseph Mabuza says the accident happened on the R38 between Carolina and Hendrina at 18:30.
"A sedan that was travelling from the direction of Carolina towards Hendrina crashed on the Vaal River Bridge and landed on the river embankment. The driver and four passengers died on the scene and another passenger died in hospital," he explains.
A passenger who had been seriously injured was taken to Carolina Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Gauteng.
On Friday, three pupils died when two bakkies collided head-on on the D1682 road in Standerton.
"It was discovered that the Nissan bakkie was driven by a learner who did not possess a driving licence," Mabuza says.
On the same day, a passenger was killed after three vehicles - a taxi, a bakkie and a sedan - collided.
The crash occurred on the N4 near Hectorspruit in Komatipoort at about 22:00.
Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane is pleading with all road users to use the roads with caution.
He says crashes are costing government a lot of money.