Fatal truck crash in OPhongolo in northern KwaZulu-Natal claims three lives
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma during an operation to inspect trucks at a weighbridge last week. On Saturday, three people died in a crash involving a truck and a car in OPhongolo.
Image: KZN Transport / Facebook
A tragic truck accident in OPhongolo has resulted in three fatalities and serious injuries, prompting a renewed focus on heavy vehicle enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal.
Three people died and two others were seriously injured in a crash involving a truck and a light motor vehicle on the N2 in OPhongolo on Saturday afternoon.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma confirmed the fatalities, describing the accident as “horrific” and extending condolences to the affected families.
“Around 16h19, we were informed by the traffic ambassador, Ayanda Msweli, about a horrific accident involving a truck in OPhongolo, N2. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the three victims who perished when the truck collided with a light motor vehicle.
“Road Traffic Inspectorate has handed over the matter to the SAPS for a formal investigation. We will be guided by the investigation in terms of understanding what could have caused this accident,” Duma said.
The crash comes just days after the department launched a province-wide operation targeting trucks and heavy vehicles at more than 17 weighbridges.
Duma said the campaign, which began on Wednesday, has already led to arrests and the discovery of major compliance issues.
“We arrested 10 undocumented foreign nationals, including three truck drivers with no Professional Driving Permits and other relevant documents,” he said.
He said that over the past months, 207,891 vehicles were weighed at KZN’s weighbridges, of which 48,973 (23.6%) were overloaded and 5,842 (2.8%) were chargeable.
“The most vehicles weighed at a single weighbridge were 40,441 vehicles at the Midway weighbridge, with an average of 3,370 vehicles weighed per month,” Duma added.
Duma said he was in contact with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy concerning plans to reduce truck traffic on major routes. “Following the announcement that six new train operating companies will soon start transporting coal and chrome along the North Corridor, we are hopeful that in the not too distant future, millions of tons of freight will shift from trucks to rail,” he said.