According to provincial authorities, 106 fatal crashes and 122 fatalities were recorded on Western Cape roads during the festive period from December 1, 2024, to January 3, 2025.
The festive season has been marred by tragedy on Western Cape roads, with crashes claiming 122 lives, while the Border Management Authority (BMA) has been on high alert, apprehending over 120 individuals attempting to enter the country unlawfully by Saturday.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) also recorded 7 448 arrests on South African roads between December 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.
According to the Western Cape government, most of the fatalities were passengers, pedestrians, and drivers. Notably, 51 of the incidents involved pedestrians, and 21 were identified as hit-and-run cases.
The Western Cape Metro and the N1 route account for the highest number of incidents, the majority occurring between 10pm until 1pm the next day.
Provincial Mobility MEC Minister Isaac Sileku said: “No family should have to face the pain of losing a loved one due to a preventable road crash. This festive season, we have intensified traffic visibility and enforcement measures to safeguard all road users. However, personal responsibility remains the cornerstone of road safety. Each of us must play our part by following traffic rules and exercising caution and courtesy.”
Sileku was among those caught in the chaos when he narrowly avoided an accident at the weekend, after a reckless driver nearly forced his vehicle off the N1 between Three Sisters and Beaufort West, the provincial department said.
The driver, who allegedly overtook multiple vehicles and forced others off the road, was tracked down at an Engen garage and apprehended as part of the Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) operation on the N1 driving at 182km/h in a 120km/h zone.
The RTMC said offenders were arrested for various offences including drunk driving, speeding, and attempted bribery.
“By January 1, a total of 1 157 032 vehicles were stopped and checked by road traffic authorities as part of the festive season enforcement plan aimed at promoting safety on national roads. Officers issued 408 783 written charges for various traffic violations and 6034 vehicles were discontinued. The RTMC continues to caution motorists to be cautious when driving under rainy conditions,” the RTMC said.
Meanwhile BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said that it had arrested more than 120 people who tried to enter the country illegally by Saturday.
This after Masiapato and his team led an operation at the Beitbridge port of entry.
According to the commissioner, a surge in border activity was recorded on January 4, with 20 000 people crossing, including 3 000 heading into Zimbabwe. Many people were pedestrians.
Masiapato further noted that several illegal immigrants were intercepted while attempting to cross the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe unlawfully.
“We deployed drones and we have been able to arrest more than 120 people who tried to enter the country illegally,” he said.
Speaking at the border on Friday, Masiapato confirmed that preparations are in place to manage the influx of travellers returning to South Africa from other parts of the continent.
“The BMA and the rest of the stakeholders here at the Beitbridge port of entry are ready to implement the return leg of our plan for the festive season,” Masiapato said.
He said that the Beitbridge port of entry is the biggest land port and has seen increased movement in recent years.
*Additional reporting by Chevon Booysen.
Cape Times