Lim’s R71 road claims two more lives
The stretch of road between Polokwane and Haenertsburg has claimed two more lives, following Saturday's vehicle incident were a motorcyclist lost his life.
LIMPOPO – The stretch of R71 road between Polokwane and Haenertsburg has been the scene of several fatal accidents over the years and topped the list of the top 20 hazardous routes in the country in 2019.
This past week alone the Department of Transport recorded two fatal incidents.
Two dead after bakkie rolls
In the latest incident two people died after a bakkie rolled on the R71 near the Veekraal turnoff on Tuesday afternoon at around 17:00.
In a statement the Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Matomi Moremi-Taueatsoala said the driver of the bakkie reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle overturned killing both the driver and a passenger.”
Three others sustained injuries ranging from serious to moderate. The injured occupants were transported to the Mankweng Hospital for medical treatment.
Speeding was cited as the possible cause of the incident and a case of culpable homicide has been opened at the Haenertsburg Police Station.
Two motorcyclists die in separate incidents
This incident comes days after a motorcyclist lost his life in a collision with a sedan on Saturday, 6 March.
According to Traffic Policing Affairs Limpopo, the driver of the motorbike died on scene.
Read more: Two more fatalities recorded on Limpopo roads
“The driver of the hatchback sustained light injuries,” read a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident a motorcyclist from Hoedspruit died in a multi-vehicle collision near Haenerstburg on 29 February. The incident involved a sedan, bakkie and a motorbike.
“It is alleged the one vehicle was speeding and sideswiped the 2nd vehicle involved and then knocked into the motorbike.”
Moremi-Taueatsoala says the biker died on the scene while six others were injured. “Two passengers were critically injured, while the two drivers and another two passengers sustained moderate injuries.” The injured were treated on the scene and transported to medical facilities nearby for further treatment.
Transport MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya once again urged motorists to check the condition of their vehicles before embarking on a trip and to drive within the prescribed speed limit.
