Government considers making third party insurance compulsory

By Lusanda Bill and Ofentse Mokae
25 June 2010

Government has announced it intends to make third party insurance for motorists compulsory.

Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele said in a reply to a parliamentary question that his department will, however, first have to draw up a strategy which would take into account the financial status of vehicle owners and the existing fuel levy.

It is reported that between 65 and 70 percent of the estimated 9.4 million vehicles on SA roads do not have third party insurance.

However an official in the department said the project was still in its "brainstorming" stage.

Meanwhile it is reported in KwaZulu-Natal, 21 people were injured this morning when a bus left a road in Tongaat, overturned and crashed into a river.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeff Wicks says the bus ploughed through 40-metres of bush.

Mechanical failure is thought to have caused the driver to lose control of the bus.