The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses its deep concern following another fatal crash over the weekend involving heavy freight trucks in Nxuba (formerly Cradock), which claimed the life of a driver at the scene.
Preliminary reports indicate that a freight truck carrying manganese lost braking control on the downhill at the Cradock railway bridge on Sunday evening. The truck, unable to slow, slammed into the back of another manganese truck before the cab caught fire.
This tragic incident once again highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement of road safety measures on one of the province’s most dangerous freight corridors.
This crash bears disturbing similarities to previous fatal incidents on the N10 between Nxuba and Middelburg.
In December last year, multiple lives were lost in a devastating collision involving a heavy freight truck in the exact same spot, underscoring the persistent risks posed by poorly regulated freight transport along this route.
A key contributing factor remains the continued failure to complete the Middelburg weighbridge project. This critical facility, intended to identify and prevent overloaded trucks from operating on provincial roads, has been delayed by poor project management.
Its absence has created a serious enforcement gap, allowing overloaded and potentially mechanically unfit vehicles to travel unchecked towards Nxuba and the surrounding areas.
I have written to the Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, to once again request urgent traffic-calming measures along high-risk sections of the N10 and surrounding routes, and to request the immediate completion and operationalisation of the Middelburg weighbridge.
Effective freight monitoring is essential to prevent further loss of life.
The DA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased driver.
No life should be lost due to preventable failures in road safety enforcement.
The DA will continue to hold the provincial government accountable and pursue urgent interventions to ensure meaningful action to protect all road users.