In a tragic turn of events, two fatal accidents occurred on the R102 in the Eastern Cape on May 17, mere days after concerns were raised about the deteriorating condition of the road.
The accidents, which claimed the lives of three people and left several others seriously injured, have intensified calls for urgent intervention from the Department of Transport.
According to the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Makhaya Komisa, in the first incident on May 17, a white NP200 bakkie collided head-on with a grey Suzuki 7-seater on the R102 between Humansdorp and Tsitsikamma.
“The driver of the bakkie was pronounced dead at the scene, while both the bakkie passenger and the Suzuki driver sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalisation,” said Komisa.
He added that a case of culpable homicide has been opened at Humansdorp Police Station.
Komisa reported that the second accident occurred on the same day on the R102 in Humansdorp, heading towards Jeffreys Bay.
According to him, a Hyundai Elantra had stopped due to a flat tyre and was being assisted by occupants of a Hyundai i10 when a Toyota Fortuner collided with the vehicles.
“One pedestrian died immediately, while another was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to injuries,” said Komisa.
“Three other people, including the Toyota Fortuner driver, were hospitalised with serious injuries.”
The Jeffreys Bay SAPS has opened a culpable homicide investigation, Komisa confirmed.
Specifically commenting on the accident which occurred in Humansdorp, heading towards Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape Transport, MEC Xolile Nqatha, has warned motorists against driving under the influence of alcohol.
He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to the injured passengers.
A death trap waiting to claim more lives
Carel Bakkes, a Jeffreys Bay resident and business owner who travels the R102 daily, expressed his distress about the accidents.
“I was shocked to learn about the two accidents on the R102 on May 17, but I believe that more people are going to die if the roads are not repaired,” said Bakkes.
Just two days after the fatal accidents, on the evening of May 19, he witnessed another car broken down between Jeffreys Bay and Mondplaas, near one of the May 17 accident sites.
On May 20, Bakkes found a motorbike abandoned along the R102 with a note explaining the owner had struck a pothole, damaging the front wheel, and had gone to have it repaired before returning to collect the vehicle.
He previously highlighted the dangers of the deep potholes, noting that vehicles damaged by them create additional hazards when drivers are forced to stop along this unsafe stretch of road.
To illustrate the severity of the problem, Bakkes has taken it upon himself to mark each pothole along the route from Mondplaas to Jeffreys Bay.
“I marked at least 35 large potholes, but I did not mark any of the smaller ones. I believe that there could be about 50 potholes on the R102 from Mondplaas to Jeffreys Bay,” said Bakkes.
Ongoing safety concerns
The previous article featured in the Kouga Express highlighted significant issues with both the R102 between Mondplaas and Jeffreys Bay and the N2 near the Hankey turn-off.
Massive potholes, poor visibility, and deteriorating infrastructure were all identified as serious hazards on the R102.
Despite these concerns, an Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, maintained that while certain sections required attention, the R102 was in “fair condition”.
He further mentioned the department’s ongoing patchwork maintenance, but offered no plans for comprehensive rehabilitation.
These recent fatal accidents have intensified frustrations among local residents who feel their safety concerns are not being adequately addressed.
“How many more people must die on our roads? We pay enough in taxes. It should not be this way,” said Bakkes.
Binqose reiterated that the R102 is in fair condition and that inspections and reviews are done on a regular basis.
“It is in our interest to see all our roads in a tip-top condition, including the R102, and when the resources allow, we will do so,” said Binqose.
Regarding the Jeffreys Bay accidents, he confirmed that preliminary reports justified Nqatha’s warning against drunk driving — reinforcing one of the department’s longstanding road safety campaigns.
Binqose said that accidents are generally a combination of factors coming together.
He further stated that their thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved in that accident.
“In the investigation of the crash, nothing will be left unprobed,” said Binqose.
He said that accidents like these amplify their road safety message.
“We will increase law enforcement patrols and general visibility, while continuing with routine maintenance as well,” said Binqose.
You must be logged in to post a comment.