By OBAKENG MAJE

A DRIVER has died on Manokwane and Maphoitsile road, near Taung on Saturday. The North West police said, the driver (68) was driving from Manokwane village to Maphoitsile when the accident happened.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “It is alleged that the driver was trying to overtake when his vehicle overturned. He passed away on the scene and a culpable homicide case is under investigation.”

Meanwhile, five more lives have been lost on the North West roads bringing a total to twelve since the first of April 2023. The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said, a pedestrian was hit by a car in Klerksdorp and a motorist died instantly in an accident in Lichtenburg.

“Three other people died in a head-on collision between two light motor vehicles in Mogwase near Sun City. The driver of the other vehicle and two other passengers are hospitalised with serious injuries. However, for the Easter period, four fatalities have been recorded on Thursday and three in Mogwase on Saturday.

“A boy (12) was hit by a car on Thursday evening at 20:45 in Ikageng Township in Potchefstroom. The enraged community members became aggressive towards the driver and the passenger, but they were rescued by law enforcement officers. Their vehicle was thereafter torched by the community,” he said.

Lehari further said, eight fatalities were recorded earlier in the week, one in Mogopela village in Taung, two in Koster, three in Ledig near Mogwase, and two in Lichtenburg. He added that there is also a growing trend of pedestrians who are hit by vehicles, and most of them seemingly come from hostelries.

“We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We also appeal to pedestrians to be extra careful when crossing roads, especially at night.

“We urge to road users to be patient and comply with all traffic regulations. What we have realised is that, most drivers are reckless and pedestrians’ accidents are also on the rise,” said Lehari.

He said they are pleading with everyone on the road to exercise extreme caution at all times. Lehari said, the joint law enforcement operations that have been leading since the beginning of April 2023, stopped almost three thousand vehicles.

“Fifteen undocumented people were arrested and handed over to the Immigration officials. Law enforcement operations will continue on all major arterial and local routes,” he concluded.

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Picture: Modisa Lodge in Extension 6, near Taung/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two people drowned at Modisa Lodge in Extension 6, near Taung on Saturday. It is alleged that, there was a function at the lodge and a man (38) jumped into the swimming pool in a quest to swim, however, drowned.

According to an eyewitness, the drowning man allegedly raised his hand calling for help. His nephew allegedly jumped into to the pool to try and rescued him, but he also drowned.

The Emergency Management Response System (EMRS) was called to the scene. It is alleged that, the deceased (38) was ferried to Taung District Hospital for medical attention, but succumbed to his injuries on arrival, while his nephew (34) was certified dead on the scene.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “We have registered and investigating an inquest docket. The deceased persons were booked at the lodge for the Easter weekend and they were swimming when they drowned. No foul play suspected,” Funani said.

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