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A Zimbabwean truck driver, who made an illegal U-turn on the N3, caused a major accident near Tugela Plaza at 3 am this morning: Duma has revealed that the driver is under arrest and that 25 passengers, who are South Africans, are receiving quality patient care at Ladysmith Provincial Hospital. 29 others were not injured.
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: This morning, we received a preliminary report from our highly efficient Road Traffic Inspectorate team following a major accident involving a bus and two trucks near Tugela Toll Plaza along the N3. The accident took place around 3 am when the truck and a bus, which were travelling south, collided.
A Zimbabwean truck driver, who made an illegal U-turn, caused this major accident, which resulted in 25 passengers sustaining injuries.
They are currently receiving quality patient care at Ladysmith Provincial Hospital.
We thank God that 29 other passengers were not injured. There were 53 passengers in total.
When questioned about his illegal U-turn by a firm and no-nonsense RTI Ladysmith team, a Zimbabwean truck driver pleaded for mercy.
He stated that he was on his way to look for money to pay at the Tugela Toll Plaza. He is currently under arrest.
The newly appointed head of the department, Zibusiso Dlamini, is working with both RTI and Operation Shanela teams as part of an investigation we have undertaken together with the South African Police Service and Home Affairs Immigration Unit.
In particular, we want to establish whether the driver and the owner have all the necessary documents. We leave no stone unturned.
We recall that the RTI Team intercepted and impounded more than 17 trucks with fake documents.
On the 27th of November, an undocumented Zimbabwean truck driver was arrested by the RTI after his truck plunged into four trucks and a Polo.
The horrific accident took place in Marrianhill Toll Plaza, a few minutes after another accident involving a truck with failed brakes. The truck smashed into three trucks, a minibus, a taxi, and an SUV, and left 12 people injured.
Another Zimbabwean truck driver was arrested by the RTI in Umkondeni for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Since the launch of the #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation, more than 25 undocumented foreign national truck drivers have been arrested.
Some have been deported after serving sentences, while others are still in prison in Pietermaritzburg.
We will be intensifying our #NenzaniLaEzweni operation on the N3 and N2, focusing on trucks. We have also resolved to sustain our operations at more than 17 weighbridges across all corners of the province.
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements
Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya | 082 375 4742 | Spokesperson | MEC for Transport and Human Settlements