SCHOEMANSDAL – Authorities are most concerned about negligent and reckless driving in Nkomazi after 16 people died in vehicle accidents over the weekend.
On Saturday at around 09:00 five people were killed on the D2683 road near Hectorspruit. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and then hit a tree.
The next day two sedans collided head-on on the R570 at the Jeppes Reef Bridge, instantly killing seven people.
The deceased included the two drivers (one of whom was alone in the car) and five passengers. One of the vehicles was reportedly overloaded.
One passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Shongwe Hospital in Schoemansdal.
At about 19:00 on the same day, three more people died in an accident on the D797 in KaMhlushwa when a sedan hit two pedestrians. Both of them, as well as the driver of the vehicle, died on the scene.
At 21:30 another pedestrian died after being hit by a minibus taxi on the N4 near Kaapmuiden.
The MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Mr Pat Ngomane, expressed his shock with the huge number of road deaths in one weekend.
He also wished everyone who was injured in these accidents a speedy recovery and sent condolences to the bereaved friends and families of the people who died. He urged traffic officers to be alert and always maintain visibility while dealing with those who break the law.
“As much as we try to improve our law-enforcement operations and safety to prevent crashes and the loss of lives, road users must remain key in ensuring road safety by practising caution and obeying the rules at all times,” said Ngomane.
Three drivers were arrested for speeding in the region over the weekend.
One was caught driving 165 kilometres per hour and another 156 kilometres per hour in a 100 kilometres per hour zone in the Matsulu area.
On the N4 near Ngodwana, another person was caught driving 161 kilometres per hour in a 100 kilometres per hour zone.
Ngomane lauded law enforcers for their efforts in enforcing the speed limits as speeding is one of the factors that contribute greatly to fatal accidents.
