Accidents on N4 route yield no fatalities over Easter weekend

MBOMBELA - During the Easter weekend, from March 29 to April 1, high traffic volumes were experienced on the Maputo Corridor.

There were 35 accidents but no fatalities on the entire N4 route, said Solange Soares, the communications manager of TRAC.

According to Moeti Mmusi, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), 22 fatalities were recorded on the province’s other roads.

On the Maputo Corridor, 23 accidents occurred in South Africa and 12 in Mozambique. with high traffic volumes continuing into the late afternoon.

“TRAC also focused on boosting its road safety messaging,” said Soares.

She said that this was done via the Rest & Rejuvenate Road Safety Activation at Alzu Petroport near Belfast, where TRAC representatives engaged with road users and encouraged them to obey road regulations and be responsible and courteous on the road.

Mmusi said that the minister of transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, will release the statistics of all accidents and fatalities that occurred in each province in due course.

The Nelspruit SPCA conducted inspections at the Lebombo Border Post during the long weekend.

Vehicles leaving and entering South Africa were searched in co-operation with the SAPS and Border Management Authority to ensure that no animal smuggling took place, and that the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 and other national transport regulations were not contravened. One of the SPCA inspectors noticed a vehicle that was transporting chickens inhumanely. Six large chickens were found inside a makeshift crate that had sharp edges and protruding wires, barely affording space for three of them.

The crate was mounted on top of the front bars of a trailer, where they were directly exposed to exhaust gases and the elements.

The inspector issued a warning in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 and educated the owner on how to transport chickens in the future.

The owner was not permitted to take the chickens across the border, and they are now in the care of the SPCA. The chickens did not sustain any injuries and are doing well, said the SPCA.