A horrific accident has left the Lydenburg community reeling after claiming the lives of Dewald and Izanie Pretorius on Friday September 23.
The brakes of a truck failed as the vehicle entered the town from the Long Tom Pass, bashing into at least 10 cars.
The truck driver collided with the couple’s black VW Polo. It is believed that Dewald and Izanie died on impact.
They were leaving The Heads Shopping Centre and driving around the traffic circle when the truck hit their vehicle.
It is yet unsure why the driver did not make use of the 1km emergency sandpit, to his right, erected about 30 years ago for possible accidents such as these. The sandpit is about 500m from where the truck collided with Polo.
Read the article about the accident here:
Two dead and at least 10 vehicles damaged as truck ploughs through Lydenburg’s main street
It has been confirmed by Steelburger/Lydenburg News that Dewald was employed at Northam Platinum Mine and Izanie was a nail technician.
Sergeant Cave Malingo, the communications officer of Lydenburg SAPS, said on Saturday September 24 the driver had been arrested for negligent and reckless driving as well as culpable homicide on Friday.
He had been detained at the Lydenburg Police Station’s cells, but was released after a few hours. His court date next week has not yet been confirmed.
A friend wrote on Izanie’s Facebook page:
“We had a lifetime of memories, the photos don’t even sum up our amazing friendship. You and Dewald are leaving a hole in our hearts. You were made for each other, your time with us was just too short.”
Friddah Nkadimeng, the executive mayor of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family who had lost loved ones. She wished the other survivors a speedy recovery. “We thank the emergency and rescue workers, traffic department, Lydenburg SAPS and members of the public for their swift response,” said Nkadimeng.
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