Operations at the Oshoek Port of Entry were temporarily suspended following a heavy commercial truck crash yesterday.

Lowvelder reports the 32-tonne coal truck reportedly experienced a brake failure and crashed into multiple stationary vehicles, two guard houses, and an inspection shelter at the border at around 10:20.

“The truck allegedly experienced brake failure on its approach to the port from the South African side. The truck crashed into 10 stationary private vehicles, four SARS vehicles, and one SANDF bakkie, causing significant damage,” said a statement released by the Border Management Authority (BMA) and SARS. “Three individuals, including one SARS official, one tourism monitor, and the driver of the truck, sustained injuries during the incident.”

The injured were attended to by eSwatinian emergency medical services and transported to a hospital in the Kingdom of eSwatini for further treatment.

“As a precautionary measure, all operations at the Oshoek Port of Entry have been temporarily suspended to allow for investigations by the SAPS and for the collection of evidence and photographs from the scene,” the BMA’s commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said in the statement.

“Pending the safety assessments by disaster management teams, the operations at the port will continue to be suspended until the necessary clearance has been issued to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.”

Lowvelder confirmed this morning that while operations for small vehicles have since resumed, it remains suspended for cargo as cleaning continues.

Cargo transporters are advised to use alternative ports of entry with eSwatini, such as Nerston, Mahamba, Jeppes Reef, and the Lebombo Port of Entry with Mozambique.

The BMA and SARS have wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.

The two entities also thanked the eSwatinian emergency medical services for their swift response, as well as all affected stakeholders for their co-operation during this challenging time.

Video here:

@lowvelderThree people sustained injuries when a coal truck’s brakes allegedly failed and it crashed into some cars and buildings at the Oshoek Border Post. Operations at the Oshoek Port of Entry have been suspended temporarily following a heavy commercial truck accident earlier today, January 26. The 32-tonne coal truck reportedly experienced a brake failure and crashed into multiple stationary vehicles, two guard houses and an inspection shelter at the border at around 10:20. “The truck allegedly experienced brake failure on its approach to the port from the South African side. The truck crashed into 10 stationary private vehicles, four SARS [South African Revenue Service] vehicles and one SANDF bakkie, causing significant damage,” said a statement released by the Border Management Authority (BMA) and SARS. “Three individuals, including one SARS official, one tourism monitor and the driver of the truck sustained injuries during the incident,” said the statement. The injured were attended to by eSwatinian emergency medical services and transported to a hospital in the Kingdom of eSwatini for further treatment. “As a precautionary measure, all operations at the Oshoek Port of Entry have been temporarily suspended to allow for investigations by the SAPS and for the collection of evidence and photographs from the scene,” said the BMA’s commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato. “Pending the safety assessments by disaster management teams, the operations at the port will continue to be suspended until the necessary clearance has been issued to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.” Travellers and cargo transporters are subsequently advised to use alternative ports of entry with eSwatini such as Nerston, Mahamba, Jeppes Reef and the Lebombo Port of Entry with Mozambique. The BMA and SARS have wished those who were injured a speedy recovery. The two entities also thanked the eSwatinian emergency medical services for their swift response, as well as all affected stakeholders for their co-operation during this challenging time. Efforts to resume the port’s operations are under way. >Video: Supplied and Sourced

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media