A stretch of the R37 near the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market has become a hotspot for illegal spinning events, with residents, motorists and political parties warning that a fatal accident is inevitable if action is not taken.

After 21:00 on weekends, large crowds gather along the four-lane section of the road near the Brondal/Sterkspruit entrance.

Footage from last Friday shows hundreds lining the roadside, with individuals standing dangerously close to traffic as drivers perform manoeuvres.

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Motorists approaching from bends or descending the nearby hill face reduced visibility.

“This is not entertainment, it is an accident waiting to happen,” a Sterkspruit resident said.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed police are aware of the issue and will act, urging the public to report incidents in real time.

He stressed that timely information enables law enforcement to respond more effectively.

DA councillor Robert Dlamini said a municipal unit has already made arrests and called for stronger resources and co-operation.

VF Plus MPL Werner Weber described the situation as a “public safety crisis,” warning that law enforcement is not visible on the ground.

Residents say the problem has escalated beyond a traffic violation into a full-scale safety threat, with large crowds, limited lighting and high-speed manoeuvres on an active roadway.

Illegal spinning on public roads is not just reckless – it is a criminal offence under South African law.

• Reckless and negligent driving under the National Road Traffic Act can result in arrest, a criminal record, heavy fines or imprisonment, plus AARTO penalties.
• AARTO system: offenders face significant fines, demerit points and possible suspension of driving privileges.
• Additional charges may apply when spectators are present, including endangering lives, public nuisance and obstruction of traffic.
• Spectators can also face fines or arrest if they obstruct roads or encourage illegal activity.
• Law enforcement may confiscate vehicles used in illegal racing or spinning.