Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela told the Middelburg Observer during a sit-down at the paper’s office on Meyer Street yesterday that he drove past the scene of Tuesday’s tragic accident himself.

Not knowing what was going on, he immediately dispatched traffic officers to assist with the traffic congestion caused by the tragedy.

He only found out that seven-year-old Janeke Brink had been killed after being struck by a truck when he read the Middelburg Observer’s online articles about the catastrophe.

The mayor told the Observer that he saw the stationary yellow truck, but initially thought that the vehicle had blown a tyre, and was holding up traffic.
He dispatched traffic services to regulate traffic, fully unaware of the devastation, but did add that he also observed a police vehicle on the scene.

Mayor Masilela extended his heartfelt condolences to Janeke’s family, and said he would like to meet with the Brinks to offer assistance and support.

During his visit, Mayor Masilela also accompanied the Middelburg Observer to the pavement on Meyer Street for a few minutes to observe for himself the staggering number of heavy vehicles, mainly double-linked coal trucks, traversing Meyer Street in both directions daily.

He was shocked about the situation, especially at the Beyers Naude Street intersection, where another tragedy is waiting to happen due to motorists and trucks disregarding turn lanes.

The Middelburg Observer offices are situated on Meyer Street, where Observer staff fear for their own lives daily when they have to enter the business complex, which also houses Midvaal Engineering and OH Frewin Printers.

Residents have also come out in full swing against the trucks, sharing horrific accounts of incidents involving them.

This morning, residents were warned to use CPF groups only for emergencies, as early morning commuters started complaining about trucks speeding everywhere in town.

Mayor Masilela visited the Observer after exiting an earlier meeting with SANRAL, which is now responsible for Meyer Street, after it was declared a national road last November.

He said he will meet with SANRAL again to discuss how the situation can be mitigated.
He also said that traffic officers will from now on be highly visible on Meyer Street and other truck routes, to ensure law enforcement.

During his visit, a truck was also illegally parked in front of a daycare centre in Meyer Street, across from the Observer office, where drivers regularly stop to rest and visit shops in the area.

Neighbours of the daycare centre have been fighting a battle for years to stop the trucks from parking in front of their homes, often blocking their driveways.

Meyer Street is situated in one of the town’s most densely populated residential areas and the CBD.

Another problematic route is Protea Street, where trucks enter town from the N11 Loskop road, which links Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and runs through the heart of Kanonkop.

• By the time of publication, a meeting between the mayor and the Brink family had not yet been confirmed.