Dangerous chemical spill shuts down R521 near Polokwane
The R521 near Polokwane will likely remain closed overnight after a tanker crash and acid spill led to a road closure that poses environmental and safety risks.
21:30
POLOKWANE – The R521 road, approximately 10km outside Polokwane toward Dendron, will likely remain closed overnight due to the severity of a chemical spill as a result of an earlier collision.
The road remains closed after a heavy motor vehicle tanker collided with a light delivery vehicle.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety said authorities suspect the tanker was transporting hydrochloric acid, with the chemical spillage posing a major risk to the environment and nearby farms.
Transport spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said stakeholders at the scene include Municipal Environmental Health officials, SAPS, traffic, and EMS.
He also confirmed that a spillage tag company from Johannesburg is expected to assist.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area, use alternative routes, and follow official traffic instructions.
“Vehicles are still being diverted via the Moletji Road to avoid the closed section of the R521,” Taueatsoala said.
18:22
POLOKWANE – The R521 between Polokwane and Dendron has been closed following a serious collision involving a heavy motor vehicle tanker and a light delivery vehicle.
The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety says the incident, which occurred approximately 10km outside Polokwane near Marlo, before Ga-Ramongwane, prompted authorities to shut down the road as a safety precaution due to the tanker carrying a flammable liquid.
According to Traffic Alerts Polokwane, the tanker was carrying Hydrochloric Acid and a hazmat team is en route from Gauteng.
Transport spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said there are concerns about a possible explosion at the crash site.
Emergency services and traffic officials are monitoring the situation, and recovery operations are underway.
“Motorists travelling between Polokwane and Dendron are advised to avoid the area and instead use Moletji Road at Mmakgodu, via Moshate and the R567 Seshego/Moletji route. We urge drivers to remain patient and exercise extreme caution on alternative roads,” his statement read.
