A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded along the N1 in Three Sisters, where seasoned SNL Logistics truck driver Nhlanhla Sibeko and an unidentified female companion were found dead inside their truck on Saturday morning.
Preliminary reports suggest the two may have died from inhaling gas, but authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of death as investigations continue.
Speaking exclusively to SA Trucker, Selvan Munsami, the owner of SNL Logistics, said Sibeko had left Johannesburg on Friday night bound for Cape Town. He pulled over at Three Sisters for a rest. A colleague driving behind him stopped to check in on him.
“He asked if Nhlanhla was okay, and he said everything was fine,” Selvan explained. “The other driver continued on his trip.”
The alarm was raised in the early hours of Saturday when the company controller was unable to reach Sibeko. By 09h00, concern had grown after multiple calls went unanswered. The last colleague to see him alive confirmed he had left him resting in the truck, with no visible signs of distress.
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“I then contacted the tracker team to physically check on the truck,” said Selvan.
When the tracking crew arrived, they found the doors locked. Looking through a small gap in the curtains, they saw two people inside who were unresponsive. The police were called, and after getting permission from SNL Logistics, officers broke a window to gain access.
“Both Nhlanhla and a female companion were found lifeless inside. There were no visible injuries,” Munsami said.
A gas stove was discovered in the truck, and while gas inhalation is suspected, the official cause of death is still under investigation. The identity of the female passenger remains unknown as no form of identification was found in the vehicle.
Munsami described Sibeko as a dedicated and positive team member.
“He was a very good driver. He worked for me for over a year and a half. Always jovial. We’ve lost a good man.”
SNL Logistics is working closely with Sibeko’s family to support them during this difficult time.
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