Latest news with #LimpopoDepartmentofTransportandCommunitySafety
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Tanker carrying flammable liquid crashes on R521 near Polokwane
POLOKWANE – The R521 between Polokwane and Dendron has been closed following a serious collision involving a heavy motor vehicle tanker and a light delivery vehicle. The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety says the incident, which occurred approximately 10km outside Polokwane near Marlo, before Ga-Ramongwane, prompted authorities to shut down the road as a safety precaution due to the tanker carrying a flammable liquid. According to Traffic Alerts Polokwane, the tanker was carrying Hydrochloric Acid and a hazmat team is en route from Gauteng. Transport spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said there are concerns about a possible explosion at the crash site. Emergency services and traffic officials are monitoring the situation, and recovery operations are underway. 'Motorists travelling between Polokwane and Dendron are advised to avoid the area and instead use Moletji Road at Mmakgodu, via Moshate and the R567 Seshego/Moletji route. We urge drivers to remain patient and exercise extreme caution on alternative roads,' his statement read.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Watch: Truck carrying gas cylinders crashes in Limpopo, sparks forest fire
The R71 through Magoebaskloof in Limpopo has been closed until further notice after a truck carrying gas cylinders crashed in the early hours of this morning, sparking a mountain-side forest fire. According to Polokwane Review, Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety acting spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala, in a statement posted just after 08:00, said the blaze is as a result of a crash involving a truck carrying gas cylinders. Emergency response teams including the Letaba Fire Protection Association, Tzaneen Fire Brigade, SARZA Limpopo, Disaster Management and the Tzaneen Emergency Support Team were quickly dispatched. By 04:30, crews were still battling the fire, which was creeping down the mountain towards Warriors Camp, making access to the explosion site too dangerous. 'It is too dangerous to access at the moment,' a message on a local WhatsApp group read. Polokwane Review reports that messages on a local emergency WhatsApp group suggest the truck lost control and crashed through the barrier just above the Magoebaskloof Ruskamp as a result of failing brakes and burst into flames at around 01:00. 'Emergency services are still at the scene and although most of the wreckage has been cleared and majority of the consequential fire in the surrounding forest extinguished, the pass remains closed. We have also had reports that the fire has reached the property of the Warriors Basecamp and they are fighting to prevent it from reaching the barn on the property,' a message reads. A video taken by a passing motorist shows flames engulfing a section of the forest, with explosions audible in the background. 'Woah! That's definitely a truck with something that's exploding. It's got something on it,' the driver can be heard saying. Authorities have reminded motorists that heavy vehicles are not permitted to use the R71 and should instead take George's Valley Road as an alternative route. The R71 will remain closed until further notice, and road users are urged to avoid the area. It is also reported that the driver of the truck escaped without injuries. Casualties are yet to be confirmed despite previous reports of one fatality. Taueatsoala said motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes: George's Valley Road (R528 road) R81 via Modjadjiskloof 'Motorists can also use alternative routes as directed by our traffic authorities. We urge all motorists to exercise caution and prioritise their safety. We will provide updates as more information becomes available,' his statement reads. Watch the video: Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
09-07-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo police apprehend driver for reckless speeding at 177km/h
In Limpopo, a 54-year-old man was apprehended for driving at a speed of 177km/h. This arrest follows closely on the heels of a recent devastating accident in the province that resulted in five fatalities. Image: IOL / Ron AI A middle-aged man was arrested in Limpopo for speeding at 177km/h in a 120km/h zone. The arrest comes days after the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety urged road users to practice responsible driving and to prioritise safety on the roads after a crash claimed five lives. On Tuesday afternoon, a 54-year-old man was arrested on the N1 freeway near Mokopane for exceeding the speed limit, 'clocking 177km/h in a 120km/h zone while driving a black Range Rover,' the department said. It said the incident serves as a warning that speeding and other reckless behaviours will not be tolerated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We are committed to enforcing speed limits and promoting road safety,' the department said. 'Drivers are urged to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits and prioritise the safety of all road users.' The man is expected to appear in the Mokopane Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, a light-duty vehicle (LDV) and a sedan collided head-on along the R36 road near the J.G. Strydom tunnel in Maruleng Municipality, Mopani District. Transport and Community Safety MEC Susan Violet Mathye stated that preliminary reports indicate an LDV collided head-on with a sedan, subsequently losing control and overturning. Five people, a male driver and four female passengers, died at the scene. One passenger was rushed to the hospital. Mathye said officers at the scene had not ruled out the possibility of reckless driving pending police investigations. 'On behalf of the department and the people of Limpopo, we pray that the families of the deceased find comfort during these difficult times and also wish the injured a speedy recovery,' Mathye said.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Waterberg District learners excel in road safety debate, advancing to provincials
Emerging as the top three debaters were Mafa Marara and Miracle Mkhabela, both from Groenvlei Secondary School, and Bonolo Mashile from Roosevelt Academy. Three learners from the Waterberg District will represent the region at the provincial road safety debate in Polokwane later this year, after excelling in a competition focused on alcohol and its link to road crashes. Held on Saturday, 31 May 2025, the Waterberg District Road Safety Debate Competition brought together learners from across the district to engage with one of South Africa's ongoing challenges: road safety. Hosted by the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety in partnership with the Department of Education, the event aimed to promote youth-led solutions to transport-related risks while introducing young people to potential careers in the transport and safety sectors. The motion debated was: 'The ban of alcohol sales will reduce road crashes.' Participating schools included Itireleng Secondary School, Thekganang Technical School, Hoërskool Groenvlei, Northern Comprehensive School, Naletsana Combined School, Mabogopedi Secondary School, Friekie Meyer Secondary School, and Roosevelt Academy. Mafa Marara and Miracle Mkhabela of Groenvlei Secondary School, along with Bonolo Mashile of Roosevelt Academy, were named the top three debaters and will advance to the provincial round - with a chance to compete nationally. The event underscored a key message: young people are not only tomorrow's leaders but active contributors to today's pressing societal challenges.
IOL News
30-04-2025
- IOL News
Reckless driving in Limpopo: Two drivers arrested for excessive speeding
A man, 38, driving a Volkswagen Golf hatchback, was arrested for exceeding the speed limit at 198km/h in an area with a 120km/h speed restriction. Image: IOL / Ron AI The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety is taking strong action against reckless drivers. Two individuals were recently apprehended on the N1 near Bela-Bela for driving at dangerously high speeds of 198km/h and 199km/h in a 120km/h zone. The two speedsters spent the weekend behind bars in Limpopo. The department said two recent arrests are stark warnings that excessive speeding will not be tolerated. 'A 38-year-old male driver of a Volkswagen Golf hatchback was apprehended on April 27, 2025, for speeding at 198km/h in a 120km/h zone. 'A day earlier, a 29-year-old male driver was caught speeding at 199km/h in a Renault Clio hatchback on the same stretch of road,' the department said. Both drivers spent the night in custody before bail was granted. 'Think twice if you think you can outrun the authorities on the roads. Law enforcement officers are cracking down on speeding motorists, and it's time to hit the brakes,' the department said. 'Speeding is a leading cause of road fatalities.' Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy released the Easter season road safety report, following their Easter road safety campaign, which started on March 20. The law enforcement performance during the Easter period, April 17-21, is as follows: 177 584 vehicles were stopped and checked. 44 505 traffic fines were issued. 2 018 vehicles were discontinued. 1 536 vehicles were impounded. 941 drivers were arrested for drunk driving. 89 drivers were arrested for excessive speeding. 12 pedestrians were arrested for jaywalking. Eight drunk drivers were arrested for attempting to bribe officers.
