Minister Mitchell expresses his condolences to families of deceased in Villiersdorp crash

Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works

My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the five people who were killed in a crash on the R321 between Villiersdorp and Grabouw this morning.

The deceased are two farmworkers and three others that were travelling in a SUV. Four other farmworkers were seriously injured in the crash.

Preliminary reports suggest that an SUV, in overtaking another vehicle, collided with a truck that was transporting 57 farmworkers. The truck driver tried to avoid the head-on collision and drove off the road into a ditch.

This crash happened after the province recorded 21 fatalities in the week between 30 August and 5 September 2021. The 21 deceased  are 13 pedestrians, four drivers and four passengers.

In the week in review, Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services implemented a total of 121 integrated roadblocks, vehicle check points and speed control operations across the province and 21 217 vehicles were stopped and checked.

The Directorate: Traffic Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service have drawn up a joint plan to deal with possible incidents of public and taxi-related violence that could have an impact on daily life, the safety of motorists and commuters, traffic flows, and the ability of motorists to access transport routes. The plan seeks to heighten law enforcement visibility, monitor all major and national routes for potential threats and risks, and enable a rapid response to any incidents. The primary focus of Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement remains promoting good driver behaviour, clamping down on road traffic offences, and helping to ensure public compliance with the Disaster Management Act.

A total of 121 speeding offences were recorded and 3 702 fines were issued for various traffic violations ranging from driver to vehicle fitness in the total amount of R3 729 950. Thirty-one vehicles were impounded and 87 were discontinued for unroadworthiness. The highest speed recorded last week is 161km/h in a 12km/h zone.

A total of three charges were laid under the Disaster Management Act and fines to the total value of R7 500 were issued. 45 additional arrests were made for offences under the National Road Traffic Act, Criminal Procedure Act, and Disaster Management Act regulations. These include 23 people driving under the influence of alcohol.

My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and I wish the injured a speedy recovery.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture Ivan Meyer also expressed his sadness on receiving the news of this latest accident.

Minister Meyer said: “With great sadness, I have learnt of the tragic passing of agri-workers from Chiltern Farm in an accident on the R321 this morning.  Officials from my Department are currently providing support to the injured and the bereaved. I wish the injured a speedy recovery and extend my deepest condolences to the deceased's family and friends. Agri-workers play a critical role in food production and the economy of the Western Cape."

Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za