Marrianhill – Again, a haulage truck collided with multiple vehicles at the Marrianhill Toll Plaza on the N3 this past weekend.
The truck, which was carrying copper from Zambia, experienced brake failure on Sunday, 15 December 2024, resulting in a collision with a bus and two cars at the Plaza.
Ten passengers from the bus were injured and subsequently taken to Prince Mashiyeni Hospital for medical care.
“In light of the driver’s admission regarding the brake failure, we believe that the responsibility falls upon the truck’s owner,” remarked Siboniso Duma, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements.
“Furthermore, we are reinforcing our roadworthiness inspections by deploying an additional 197 traffic officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
“We sincerely thank the national Department of Transport for facilitating this deployment.”
The newly appointed officers will enhance the efforts of over 2,745 existing traffic officers who are already working to enforce traffic laws and monitor roadways for user safety.
MEC Duma emphasized that the 197 new traffic officers would aid in monitoring areas known for dangerous driving conditions.
High-risk zones for vehicular accidents—some of which have led to fatalities—have been identified in Durban, Mtubatuba, and Ugu.