Horror accident on Magoebaskloof

TZANEEN – Another horrific accident on the Magoebaskloof road occurred early Monday morning.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Moathse Ngoepe, two people, allegedly pedestrians, were killed and their bodies severed when a heavy truck lost control and overturned. The accident occurred just below the Magoebaskloof Rest Camp.

Ngoepe urged truck owners to avoid the pass, especially when the vehicles are fully loaded. A sign placed at the exit from the N1 in Polokwane prohibits vehicles weighing over seven tons from using the R71.

The R71 along the pass was closed for on Monday and drivers were urged to use the Georges Valley road.

The cause of the accident is still unknown but heavy mist may be a contributing factor. A case of culpable homicide was opened.

The Magoebaskloof Community Forum said they are still not satisfied with the effectiveness of the policing on this stretch of road as is evident in this accident.

The Forum, formed in August by residents of the region concerned by the high number of accidents along the pass, has been campaigning for stricter enforcement of traffic rules ever since.

“Trucks over seven tons still ignore the sign at Haenertsburg and the only to stop this carnage is to have more effective and constant policing at this junction,” a spokesperson for the Forum said.

Rob Morris, a resident of Magoebaskloof, said the deceased lived near his farm and were sisters, both with children. They were walking to work on a nearby farm when they were hit.

Morris approached Limpopo traffic officers on scene to ask why the truck was on the pass in the first place.

“One of them threatened me physically and told me to f… off,” Morris said.

“To their credit, traffic officer M. Zulu did come and apologise to me about his colleague’s behavior, however he still did not give reasons why the truck was allowed down the steepest pass in Southern Africa.”

via  letabaherald