A Zambian truck driver who allegedly caused a major crash on the N3 near Cliffdale on Thursday morning has been arrested after attempting to flee the scene.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed that while multiple vehicles were involved and one person was critically injured, there were no fatalities.
“We are relieved that no one died from this major accident that disrupted traffic flow and inconvenienced hundreds of motorists. We wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said Duma.
He commended the Road Traffic Inspectorate for their swift action in apprehending the driver, who allegedly tried to run away after the accident. “I commend our highly dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate, who apprehended the truck driver. I have also mandated them to work with SAPS to ensure a successful conviction. Importantly, we want to establish whether he had the relevant documents authorising him to drive,” Duma added.
The MEC also linked the incident to the broader challenge of heavy trucks on South African roads, welcoming Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy’s announcement on the completion of the adjudication process for new Train Operating Companies (TOCs).
“For us in KwaZulu-Natal, we are looking forward to the movement of cargo from road to rail. The new entrants on the north corridor will be responsible for 15 routes carrying coal and chrome, which should move an additional 20 million tonnes of freight per annum from 2026/27. This means fewer trucks and fewer accidents on our major routes,” Duma explained.
He reminded the public of recent tragedies, including the Empangeni crash on the N2 that claimed nine lives, and stressed that reckless and irresponsible drivers will face tough consequences. “In August alone, we arrested more than 160 motorists for drunken driving,” he said.
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