Dark weekend for motorbike riders

The first accident occurred on Friday, August 8 at 15:20 on the old Middelburg road. Mr Collen Zwane was travelling from Jackaroo Plots towards eMalahleni in the fast lane, approaching a curve in the road when he heard a bang.

Zwane pulled over to check what had happened. He then noticed that a black motorbike hit the back of the white Mazda bakkie Zwane was driving.

The rider was seriously injured and treated on scene for his injuries. He was taken to a local hospital where he received further treatment.
On the same day just before midnight, a serious accident between two vehicles and a motorbike occurred on the N4 highway towards Middelburg near the toll gate.

Mr Bheki Mabuza was travelling in a Mazda Drifter bakkie on the highway, in front of him there was a motorbike.
Mabuza said that he was bumped from the back by a person driving a white BMW, causing him to collide with the motorbike from behind.
Mr Daniel van Rensburg (40) on the motorbike succumbed to multiple severe injuries and died on scene.

Van Rensburg was married to Ms Estie van Rensburg and the couple resided in eMalahleni. Estie is 16 weeks pregnant with the couple’s first child.

Van Rensburg belonged to Itchy Wheels Club and all the members from the club will miss him.
Both drivers sustained no injuries and one driver was arrested for drunken driving and culpable homicide. The accident is being investigated by local authorities. On Monday, August 11 the driver who was arrested appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court.
Van Rensburg’s funeral will take place on Friday, August 15 at 10:00 in Kroonstad where he was born.

On Saturday, August 9 at 12:15 in Paul Sauer Street Mr Andile Honest Mashiane (21) was travelling on a red Suzuki scooter. Mashiane was a delivery man for Maxis Restaurant in Ben Fleur. He was travelling back towards the restaurant when the accident occurred.
Mashiane allegedly lost control of the scooter he was riding; he flew off and hit a lamp post.

Emergency services attended to the scene, however Mashiane succumbed to his injuries.
“He was a sweet person with the biggest heart, he will be deeply missed by everyone in the restaurant and our sympathy goes out to his family,” said the owner of Maxis’ restaurant.

“He was a very good son to us, he will be missed by all his family members and friends,” said Mr Josiah Mashiane, Mashiane’s father.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 11:00 at Kromdraai Cemetery.

“I am looking for any witnesses who saw the accident in Paul Sauer Street to contact me on 076 448 7090,” said Josiah.
Seven hours later yet another motorbike accident occurred on the old Middelburg road.

At 19:30 on Saturday, Mr Thulani Mlotshwa was travelling towards Middelburg in his red Mazda 323. Mr Francios de Klerk (24) was travelling in the same direction on his Honda Repsol bike.

De Klerk allegedly drove into the back of Mlotshwa vehicle, which allegedly did not have any lights on. De Klerk was flung off his bike and landed next to the road. He was seriously injured.

Emergency services responded to the scene and De Klerk was rushed to Witbank Provincial Hospital, where he later died.

Ms Jeanine Smith, De Klerk’s wife described her husband as a very loveable person.
“He lived for his family and his three-month-old son,” said Smith.

De Klerk’s body was to be sent to Welkom on Wednesday, August 13 and the funeral would be arranged from there.