Durban – The Zimbabwean driver who crashed his haulage truck into several vehicles at Marrianhill Toll Plaza, in KwaZulu-Natal, has died.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate reports that on Friday, (13 December 2024) “a heavy motor vehicle from Zimbabwe collided into six trucks and five light motor vehicles”.
The driver of a truck from Zimbabwe was trapped and was later declared deceased.
“We request motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes and to delay any trip leading to Marrianhill Toll Plaza,” said Siboniso Duma, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements.
“Our preliminary figures for the period 1 December 2024 to 12 December 2024 are a cause for concern.”
MEC Duma said in 2023 during the same period KZN had 56 crashes.
“In 2024 we have 63 crashes,” he said.
“Following this afternoon’s multiple-vehicle crash in Marrianhill Toll Plaza, this number will increase.
“We have unfortunately recorded an increase of 13%.
“In terms of fatalities, in 2023 during this period we had 61. In 2024 we have 64, which is an increase of 5%.”
Most of the crashes and fatalities occurred in the following districts:
- eThekwini is leading with 26 crashes and 26 fatalities.
- King Cetshwayo – 10 crashes and 10 fatalities
- Ugu – 10 crashes and 10 fatalities
- Zululand – 5 crashes and 5 fatalities
- Umgungundlovu – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
- Umkhanyakude – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
- Uthukela – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
- Ilembe 2 crashes and 2 fatalities
- Umzinyathi – 1 crash and 1 fatality
- Harry Gwala no crashes and no fatalities
“According to our analysis, most of these fatal crashes occur between 6 am and 10 am. And between 5 pm and 1 am over the weekend,” MEC Duma said.
He said the leading causes of accidents were speeding, drunken driving, fatigue, and unroadworthy vehicles.
“The figures we have highlighted call for drastic action to be taken,”‘ MEC Duma said.
“It is for these reasons our highly dedicated team of more than 2 745 officers from Road Traffic Inspectorate will be out on the roads this long weekend.
“As we announced weeks ago, traffic officers are being supported by 808 vehicles.
“They will intensify the monitoring of speed and ensure the enforcement of traffic rules.”
Multidisciplinary roadblocks involving different law enforcement agencies will be carried.
“The target is to have more than 99 speed operations across all corners of the province by the end of the festive season,” said MEC Duma.
“We remain worried about the increasing number of young people who are perishing on our roads, most of them under the influence of alcohol.
“We have deployed road safety officers who are working with local municipal road safety teams.
“In partnership with the liquor industry, we are also rolling out an awareness campaign targeting entertainment facilities in the townships and other areas in the cities and suburbs.”
