North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Saturday confirmed that police are investigating cases of culpable homicide, suspected drunken and reckless driving following the death of three people in two separate road accidents in the North West province.
Two people, a 52 year old driver and 29 year old female passenger were killed on the N14 road between Vryburg and Kuruman on Friday evening. It is alleged that both were in the Toyota Avanza multipurpose vehicle was side swept by a Volkswagen Polo which was overtaking it as it also tried to overtake a truck it was following. The Avanza hit the truck it was following from behind.
The truck reportedly dragged the Avanza for a couple of metres before it got detached and rolled several times. The driver who it is suspected was not wearing his seat belt at the time was thrown out of the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries as the vehicle rolled over him. The female passenger who remained in the vehicle also died at the scene of the accident which occurred at around 7:40 pm.
A 38 year old Somalian national and tuckshop owner died in a head-on collision involving two bakkies on the R52 between Koster and Rustenburg on Saturday around noon.
It is alleged that the Somalian national was trying to avoid a bakkie that was straddling lanes due to suspected drunken driving. The driver and passenger from the other bakkie involved sustained critical injuries in the collision and were rushed by paramedics to Job Shimankane Tabane Provincial Hospital.
MEC Yawa wishes to convey his condolences to the families of those who lost their beloved ones in the accidents and appeals to motorists to buckle up, observe safe following distances, check blind spots whenever they are overtaking and not to drink and drive.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
