Tragedy struck local roads over the weekend as two horrific crashes on the N12 and N14 claimed multiple lives, prompting urgent warnings from police and community members.

The first disaster occurred on the afternoon of June 14, at around 17:00.

A white Mercedes-Benz allegedly ignored a stop sign at the T-junction of the N12 and the road leading from Fochville past Kokosi. The Mercedes smashed into an oncoming Renault Clio that was travelling from Potchefstroom.

Four people inside the Clio were killed instantly, including the mother of an 11-year-old girl. The young girl survived the crash, but was rushed to Carletonville Hospital with serious injuries. A passenger in the Mercedes-Benz was also injured.

There are unconfirmed allegations that the occupants of the Mercedes were under the influence of alcohol and that the vehicle may have been stolen, though police have not yet verified these claims.
A bystander at the scene expressed deep concern over the rising number of accidents between this specific turn-off and the Mponeng mine junction.

This tragedy followed another fatal collision on the N14 on June 13, at approximately 22:50.

A reliable source stated that the driver of a seven-seater Renault Triber, travelling from the direction of Ventersdorp, lost control of the vehicle roughly 200m before the R500 four-way crossing.

The Triber crashed into an oncoming Toyota Prado owned by a Carletonville resident, who was returning home from Krugersdorp. Three passengers from the Triber, consisting of two men and a woman from Mpumalanga, died at the scene.

Police are now investigating cases of culpable homicide for both incidents.

A senior police officer from Carletonville voiced serious concerns over the recent surge in collisions, noting that seven other accidents were reported in the Carletonville area this week alone.

In separate incidents, observant officers randomly spotted and arrested six motorists for driving under the influence of liquor over the same period.

Police have also issued an urgent warning for motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving from Carletonville towards Welverdiend, following a recent spate of pedestrian-related accidents on that stretch of road.