Durban – Wednesday’s fatal truck crash on the M7 has triggered immediate action from KwaZulu-Natal authorities, with the driver now placed under police guard while receiving treatment in hospital.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed that the Zambian national driver involved in Wednesday’s crash near the interchange with the N2 will remain under guard to ensure he does not leave custody.
The crash claimed the life of a woman after a truck transporting copper plates collided with multiple vehicles before overturning.
According to ALS Paramedics’ Garrith Jamieson, the truck struck approximately four vehicles before its trailer came down onto a light motor vehicle. Emergency teams worked to remove the trailer, after which a woman was found deceased inside the wreckage.
“This driver will face the full might of the law,” Duma said.
Authorities are focusing on what led to the crash and who may be held accountable.
Read | The M7 Truck Crashes: A 2,600km Pattern of Brake Failures Nobody Is Connecting
The incident has once again placed the spotlight on safety along the M7, a key freight route linking the N3 in Pinetown to the Durban Port, the south, and the Bluff. The route carries a high volume of heavy-duty trucks daily and has seen a growing number of serious crashes.
eThekwini councillor Jay Singh said the situation has escalated beyond concern and now requires urgent intervention.
“There is a need for intensified enforcement and a clear, time-bound action plan. We cannot continue losing lives while there is silence and inaction,” Singh said.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with attention expected to focus on vehicle condition, driver actions, and compliance with road safety measures.
This latest crash is expected to intensify scrutiny on safety and enforcement along the M7 corridor.
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