Dashcam footage from a Grain Carriers truck that crashed into two homes in Rose Valley, just outside Oudtshoorn, on August 15 reveals that the driver, Hadebe, was struck by a stone thrown from the roadside, rendering him unconscious and causing the devastating collision.
He later succumbed to his injuries on the 17th of August. May his soul rest in peace.
According to Tom Terblanche, managing director of Grain Carriers, the footage captures a group of individuals gathering along the roadside, targeting the truck as Hadebe drove past.
“The footage shows that the driver was targeted,” Terblanche explained, highlighting the reckless behaviour that directly led to Hadebe’s loss of control.
While the footage has not been released publicly, sources close to the investigation describe it as a chilling account of the moments before the fatal incident.
Witness accounts align with the dashcam’s depiction, adding weight to the allegations.
“It’s hard to believe anyone could do something so dangerous and thoughtless,” remarked one local resident who had seen portions of the footage. “This wasn’t just an accident; it was an attack.”
The dashcam evidence has become central to the investigation, shifting focus away from mechanical failure or driver error as initially suggested.
Instead, accountability is now directed toward those who initiated the attack, with police working closely with Grain Carriers to identify the culprits.
“We are working closely with the police, and the footage will play a crucial role in identifying those responsible,” Terblanche confirmed, stressing the importance of holding accountable those whose actions led to Hadebe’s tragic death.
The aftermath of the collision also left two families without homes, prompting Grain Carriers to assist.
Read | Dashcam captures stone attackers hit driver leading to crash on R40 in Mpumalanga
“We helped both families who lost their homes. We did it out of compassion for the families without being guilty of any damage,” Terblanche told SA Trucker.
The company described Hadebe’s death as a great loss.
The truck was written off, with a total loss of 2.1 tons of product that fell off during the collision.
Oudtshoorn police confirmed that the dossier had been changed to culpable homicide.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt. Christopher Spies confirmed that a case of manslaughter has been opened following Hadebe’s death and is still under investigation.
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