Bloodbath on Lim roads, almost 500 arrests

Road fatalities during the Festive Season increased by 5% to 1 714 deaths countrywide compared to last year for the same period. The Department of Transport and Community Safety was only able to provide statistics on, among others, the number of arrests made and vehicles checked and impounded, but the final death toll on local …

January 12, 2017

3 minutes read

Road fatalities during the Festive Season increased by 5% to 1 714 deaths countrywide compared to last year for the same period.
The Department of Transport and Community Safety was only able to provide statistics on, among others, the number of arrests made and vehicles checked and impounded, but the final death toll on local roads was not provided. Earlier reports had that Limpopo roads might have claimed the highest number of lives. Departmental Spokesperson Joshua Kwapa could not be reached for comment nor did he respond to text messages from the publication.
A reliable source indicated that by 24 December 271 accidents and 154 deaths had allegedly been reported in Limpopo. The number is made up by 86 passengers, 31 drivers and 37 pedestrians. Transport Minister Dipuo Peters indicated on 20 December that between 1 and 19 December 845 fatalities had been recorded nationally, an increase of 17% in comparison to the previous year. A 16% increase in fatal car crashes totalled at 684 during the same period with 82% of the accidents being the result of human error. Peters released the final statistics in Pretoria on Tuesday when she also indicated that the department is in the process of reclassifying drunk driving from a schedule 3 tot a schedule 5 offence.
Accidents
Several major accidents were reported in the province. On 14 December Police in Motetema opened a case of culpable homicide and attempted hijacking after a Police constable from Nigel and three others died in an accident between Motetema and Tafelkop. Provincial Police Head of Corporate Communications Motlafela Mojapelo said the constable was accompanied by five other people travelling in a Volkswagen Kombi of which two were seriously injured.
“It is alleged that the occupants of the Kombi tried to hijack a Volkswagen Polo after which the driver of the Kombi lost control of the vehicle and it overturned. The driver of the Polo opened a case of attempted hijacking,” Mojapelo said.
The next day two South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members died during a collision between three trucks outside Louis Trichardt.
On 24 December six people including Police Constable Selina Raholeanro attached to the Sekhukhune Police were burnt beyond recognition after an accident between two vehicles on the R37 between Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo. The same day a taxi overturned on the R40 outside Hoedspruit killing two passengers.
Five people died on 27 December in a head-on collision on the N1 outside Mookgophong. The driver of a bakkie allegedly overtook another vehicle unsafely and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
On New Year’s Day a pedestrian was killed by the driver of the Sekhukhune Executive Mayor Stan Ramaila at Ga-Phaahla Village outside Jane Furse. The accident happened after the driver Desmond Moela dropped Ramaila off following an official hospital visit to welcome New Year’s babies. A case of culpable homicide has been opened and being investigated by Police.
Law enforcement
Traffic officials were out in full force to ensure safer roads and to bring traffic offenders to book. Kwapa earlier this month indicated that 487 motorists were arrested during the Festive Season of which 315 were apprehended for driving under the influence of alcohol. Seven were arrested for speeding, 12 for overloading, four for reckless driving, three for operating permits, nine for other traffic violations and 137 for outstanding warrants.
He added that 275 719 vehicles were stopped, 14 937 drivers tested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 70 799 vehicles were weighed.
Kwapa said 22 771 notices were issues for moving offences. Out of these 74 were for inconsiderate driving, 1 192 for overtaking on barrier line, 11 315 for speeding and 6 361 for vehicle defects. Over 600 vehicles were either discontinued or impounded.
Kwapa referred to incidents where traffic officials maintained their zero tolerance attitude towards traffic offenders.
On 27 December a 42-year-old woman was arrested for driving 132 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in Mahwelereng. Even into the New Year officials did not slack in their duties. A Zimbabwean was arrested for overloading after being caught carrying 31 passengers, including 14 illegal immigrants, in a minibus taxi at Mokopane on 2 January.
A Police constable was arrested the same day in Mookgophong for reckless and negligent driving after he was seen overtaking on a barrier line several times on the R101.