Polokwane: Despite attempts to lower accidents during the Zion Christian Church’s (ZCC) September pilgrimage to Moria, eight lives were lost on Limpopo roads this past weekend.

Roads and Transport Department spokesman Joshua Kwapa said this was the same number of deaths that occurred during the same period last year.

“Traffic volumes were high as members of the ZCC made their way to Moria for the annual September pilgrimage. Many of the accidents happened in the villages, while two of our priority routes also had accidents,” said Kwapa on Monday.

A 34-year-old driver died when his car collided into the back of a bakkie on the N1 North. Two people lost their lives in different accidents on the R37.

In Dilokong, a 60-year-old pedestrian was hit by a car and died, while an 18-year-old man from Chuene village was hit by a sedan and died.

There were also accidents in Senwabarwana and Lephalale.

Department MEC Lehlogonolo Masoga commended road users who were patient and obeyed traffic laws.

“We will continue to maintain high visibility on our roads and will intensify our law enforcement operations. Traffic violators have no space on our roads. We will take extreme actions against those who continue to disobey traffic regulations,” said Masoga.

Masoga said despite the fatal accidents, traffic officers managed to control heavy traffic amidst many disruptions.

South Africa is part of the United Nations General Assembly’s Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2020.