Two members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team (TRT) lost their lives in an accident on the N4 just before eMalahleni last night.

The BMW they travelled in overturned, crashed through the barriers, hit a tree, and rolled down to the Olifants River just after 22:00.

The vehicle was wedged between bushes.

One of the policemen was flung out of the vehicle, and the other was trapped inside the vehicle.

Their names are withheld until they have been formally identified.

#TRACN4route #CrashUpdate at 04:50. Recovery still in progress btw Midwest Weigh Bridge + Olifants River (N4/3 km 37.8W) #Middelburg WB SHOULDER + SLOW LANE CLOSED ~NB

— TRAC N4 Toll Route (@TRACN4route) May 6, 2026

The information available indicates that the policemen stationed at Thembisa TRT and Pretoria Central TRT were deployed in a presidential operation, Project Umgodi wemvubu.

They were attending a court case in Pretoria earlier that day.

SEE THE VIDEO OF THE RECOVERY HERE

Giepie Fisher from Van Wettens Recovery said that the operation to retrieve the vehicle lasted eight hours.

“The continuous rain made the recovery very difficult,” Fisher said.

“The SAPS community and emergency services have expressed deep condolences as investigations into the exact cause of the crash continue,” police spokesperson Warrant Officer David Ratau said.

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