The family of Keatlaretswe Sekete, who was struck and killed in August 2026 by a vehicle on Johannesburg Road in Lyndhurst, is advocating for urgent road safety improvements to prevent future loss of life.

Sekete worked in Lyndhurst and was remembered by her sister, Marcia Mayaba, as a dedicated professional with a career spanning nearly two decades in the events industry.

“She built a successful career spanning almost two decades in the events industry, was passionate about reading and writing, and dedicated her time to supporting and mentoring aspiring African Christian writers,” Mayaba said. “KT was a woman of simple joys, a lover of books and coffee, and above all, a devoted daughter, sister and friend who always put family first.”

Following the incident, the family engaged with government authorities to push for practical safety measures.

Mayaba said the family is encouraged that this engagement has resulted in a partnership with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to make Johannesburg Road safer for pedestrians, residents and all road users. She added that while safer roads are an important part of the solution, accountability is equally important, emphasizing that no family should endure such a loss.

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“The matter is currently under investigation by the Sandringham Police Station, where a culpable homicide case has been opened against the driver involved. We respect the legal process and trust that the investigation will be thorough and impartial,” Mayaba said.

JRA operations manager for strategic support in the office of the CEO, Mehluli Nhlengethwa, stated that the road is classified as a class 2 major arterial, undivided dual carriageway.

“In August, we requested the installation of 60km/h speed limit signs along the road,” Nhlengethwa said. “The road markings were clearly visible, and at the time of our site visit all traffic signals were in a working condition.”

Mehluli Nhlengethwa’s safety assessment

Nhlengethwa added that introducing unwarranted measures such as a signalised pedestrian crossing or intersection could create a critical safety hazard. Drivers expecting a continuous mobility route will not anticipate sudden stops, exponentially increasing the risk of high-speed rear-end collisions and fatal pedestrian accidents.

Safety recommendations for Johannesburg Road

The following recommendations have been made to address traffic safety on the street:

Rumble strips: Tactile and auditory warning devices designed to alert drivers through vibration and noise, rather than physical speed-reduction devices like speed humps.

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Speed humps: Broader and more gradual humps, typically 10cm to 15cm high and 3m to 4m wide, allowing cars to pass smoothly at moderate neighbourhood speeds without severe vehicle damage.

Median island: JRA recommends a constructed median island along Johannesburg Road to serve as a refuge for pedestrians.

Speed law enforcement cameras: JRA recommended approaching the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to consider installing speed law enforcement cameras along the road, as speed enforcement is the primary practical solution to curb speeding on high-order class 2 arterial roads. Installing signage reading ‘Speed Camera Ahead’ has been proven to play a pivotal role in curbing speeding and restoring road safety.

JRA’s operations manager concluded that the team will ensure all road safety signage and road markings are in place by the end of October 2026.

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