By Thokozani Mazibuko
A truck transporting coal collided with multiple vehicles and rammed at a nearby building at the Oshoek Border Gate on Sunday.
This incident follows a horrific truck accident that took place just five weeks earlier, raising concerns over safety in the area.
According to Deputy Police Information and Communication Officer, Nosipho Mnguni, the incident occurred early afternoon and involved a few vehicles caught in the chaos.
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Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported, but three individuals sustained serious injuries and were promptly transported to a nearby health facility for immediate treatment.
“The South African Police have taken charge of the situation and are currently investigating the cause of the accident,” Mnguni stated in an interview with the Eswatini Daily News.
“While we are thankful that there were no lives lost, the injuries sustained by the individuals involved are a cause for concern.”
The gruesome nature of the accident has once again highlighted the pressing need for heightened safety measures at the busy border crossing, which serves as a vital trade route between South Africa and Eswatini.
Locals have expressed their fears regarding the frequency of such accidents, urging authorities to take immediate action to improve road safety standards and oversight for heavy vehicles.
Witnesses at the scene described a scene of chaos as emergency services rushed to assist the injured and clear the wreckage from the road.
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Eyewitness accounts suggest that the crash occurred as the truck was negotiating a turn, leading to a loss of control that resulted in subsequent collisions with parked cars and adjacent infrastructure.
Considering these two incidents occurred within a short period, the community is calling for a thorough investigation into the safety protocols and regulations governing commercial trucks in the area.
Residents interviewed by Eswatini Daily News, as well as frequent travellers across the Oshoek Border, urged authorities to consider stricter enforcement of traffic laws, as well as the installation of additional signage and speed control measures to prevent future tragedies.
