By Kopano Dibakwane
A toddler was among three people who sadly lost their lives in a car accident that occurred on the R35 Road, between Bethal and Middleburg, on Friday night, 18 April 2025.
The three deceased reportedly died on impact when a Multi Purpose Van(MPV) collided with an articulated truck.
The spokesperson for Mpumalanga DCSSL(Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Moeti Mmusi, said earlier indications suggest that one of the drivers may have entered the R35 Road when it was not safe to do so.
According to Mmusi, three passengers sustained serious injuries, while another two escaped with slight injuries. The injured passengers were reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital in Middleburg for treatment.
Mpumalanga DCSSL MEC, Jackie Macie, has once again called on motorists to excercise caution and obey the rules of the road as fatalities continue to rise during the Easter long weekend.
Macie was referring to an another horrific accident which claimed five lives along the N4 Road between Machadodorp and Belfast on Thursday afternoon, 17 April 2025.
He furthermore urged motorists to prioritise their safety and that of other road users by not driving in a reckless and negligent manner.
“ We remain undeterred to enforce the law on the roads in order to prevent needless loss of lives from road crashes. However, the behaviour of some motorists remains a huge concern to us, judging by the recent fatal crashes we have recorded since Thursday. We will continue to ensure heightened law enforcement visibility on all priority routes in the province,” Macie says.
