Deputy Speaker, the UDM extends its condolences to the families of the two children who passed away and to the others who were injured when an allegedly drunken 16-year-old ploughed into a group of pedestrians in Alexandra with a vehicle which was taken without permission. How do we calculate the loss to the families and to the rest of society when two young people are suddenly removed so tragically?
This incident is just one of many such incidents. Our people, and especially our young ones, are dying in unprecedented numbers as a result of so-called accidents. Ninety-nine percent of the time there is no accident, but rather an incident involving reckless or incompetent behaviour on the road.
South Africa loses thousands of people every year on our roads. No other comparable country has such a high incidence of death and injury on their roads. Something is inherently flawed in the manner in which we as South Africans in general behave on the roads. Have we really sunken to such lawlessness that we simply cannot change our ways, even if we keep losing our loved ones?
We are again approaching the busiest season on our roads, and the UDM appeals to government and civil society alike to recommit themselves to road safety. We owe it to the victims, such as 17-year-old Mpho Nyembe, whose memorial service was held yesterday. I thank you. [Applause.]