Johannesburg - Six people have died from suspected dehydration after taking part in a KwaZulu-Natal traffic department recruitment fitness test, SABC news reported on Saturday.
Another person apparently committed suicide in frustration after the test, the news station reported.
Provincial Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu could not be reached for comment about the deaths.
However, in a statement on Saturday he said he would investigate the incident whereby "scores" of people who were trying to get a job at the road traffic inspectorate, collapsed during a fitness test.
"More than 34 000 applicants qualified for the 90 trainee posts which were advertised," said Mchunu in a statement.
He said that 15 600 applicants attended a fitness test at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Thursday, and a similar number attended on Friday.
"Scores of them could not cope with the hot weather conditions and collapsed."
Many were taken to hospital.
Mchunu said that he would meet with those in charge of the test on Saturday.
"We regret any injuries or loss of lives as a result of the fitness test," he said.
- SAPA
SAWDOS: This is really unbelievable. 6 dead after extreme humid and very hot weather in Kwazulu Natal. People in charge will have to really explain why this event took place after a warning was issued of extremely uncomfortable humid conditions. Yet they went ahead with the event and candidates had to run 4km in these conditions without water along the route. I saw video footage of the event. Shocking to say the least. Those who organized this event should be held accountable for the deaths of these people. The SAWDOS would like to extend it's condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
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