Road rage on the R102 turned ugly last week when a male driver allegedly stopped to slap a female Ballito driver three times.

The 37-year-old Ballito resident, Sibabalwe Sandile, was on her way to Manor Estates to fetch her friend’s children when the incident occurred.

While trying to cross the dangerous intersection of the P445 and the R102, Sandile said she took a gap offered to her by cars travelling north in the turning lane. Another car, travelling north in the normal lane, allegedly sped past the stopped cars and nearly collided with Sandile.

After she crossed into the Manor Estates driveway, the car turned around and stopped next to her, before the driver emerged and allegedly slapped Sandile three times before driving off. Sandile, who was travelling with her 15-year-old niece, said both of them were left traumatised.

“I cry every time I think about it. I don’t feel safe anymore,” she said.

A doctor’s report confirmed that Sandile suffered blunt force trauma with muscle strain.

She opened a case at Umhlali Saps and iLembe police spokesperson, Captain Alex Thomson, confirmed the matter is under investigation. No arrests have been made.

The intersection has long been a hotspot for traffic congestion and accidents. According to IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick, the number of incidents has decreased since the installation of speed humps, but it remains a danger.

“We average about three accidents per month, the majority of which are minor,” said Meyrick.

The provincial transport department was unable to comment on any ongoing plans to help ease traffic flow at the intersection.

Manor Estate also declined to comment.

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