R522 claims another life as 83-year-old dies near Kutama
An 83-year-old farmer dies on the R522 near Kutama, with residents blaming potholes and dangerous road conditions for the fatal crash.
LIMPOPO – The deadly R522 between Louis Trichardt and Vivo has claimed another life.
Eighty-three-year-old Simon Ndou, a local farmer, died in a collision near Tshikodobo in the Kutama area on February 12. Poor and dangerous road conditions are again believed to have contributed to the crash, with potholes and stray animals cited as ongoing hazards.
Vhembe police spokesperson Capt Vuledzani Dathi said Ndou apparently lost control of his vehicle, which overturned. The R522 is frequently described by residents as a ‘deathtrap’ due to its severe state of disrepair. Over time, large sections have deteriorated from a tarred surface to what motorists describe as a hazardous dirt track.
In April 2024, a rehabilitation project began, but the contractor, Tycofield, completed only 15% of the work before the contract was terminated in November 2024 for poor performance. Several sections were left with the tar surface removed, making them almost undrivable.
In November 2025, Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) appointed Kgahlodi Catering and Projects to maintain a 13km stretch of the road. The nine-month project is estimated at R42m. Despite this intervention, scepticism remains. RAL’s budget dropped from R2.8b in 2024/25 to under R1b in subsequent years, raising fears that only minor maintenance will be done instead of a full upgrade.
The chairperson of the Zoutpansberg Development Forum (ZCDF), Patrick Sikhutshi, conveyed condolences to the Ndou family and said they need support during this difficult time. He added that the Sinthumule and Kutama communities feel sidelined in public participation processes and plan to approach the Public Protector to intervene.
Sikhutshi criticised what he described as empty promises from the Department of Public Works and RAL regarding the road’s upgrade.
Resident Skwera Modaku said the road’s condition has become unbearable. “Taxi and bus owners are tired of their vehicles being damaged within weeks. It is difficult to drive here when it rains. We need a proper road,” he said.
