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A truck carrying cement overturned on the N1 North early Wednesday morning, causing major traffic delays and renewed fears about one of Limpopo’s most dangerous road stretches.
Cement dust from the wreckage spread across the lanes, reducing visibility and leaving drivers struggling to see through thick white clouds. Authorities have since moved in to control traffic and clear the debris, warning motorists to drive carefully or, if possible, use alternative routes.
The crash happened just a few metres from the site of the tragic bus accident that killed 43 Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers only weeks ago. Locals say this section of the N1, particularly near Ingwe Lodge curve, has become a death trap.
“It’s the same corner every time,” said one resident, watching as tow trucks and police officers worked to recover the overturned vehicle. “People die here almost every month. We keep reporting it, but nothing changes.”
Witnesses say the cement truck appeared to lose control as it approached the curve, rolling several times before coming to rest on its side. The impact scattered bags of cement across the highway, covering nearby cars in fine dust.
Paramedics confirmed that the truck driver sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, no other vehicles were directly involved in the collision, though several motorists narrowly escaped crashes in the chaos that followed.
Traffic has been backed up for several kilometres, with long queues of vehicles stretching toward Makhado. Some drivers waited for more than two hours as clean-up crews battled to clear the road.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Transport have not yet released an official statement on the cause of the accident, but early indications suggest speeding and loss of control on the curve may have been factors.
Local transport associations are once again calling for urgent government intervention to fix what they describe as a “killer corner.”
“The Ingwe Lodge bend has claimed too many lives,” said community leader Thabo Maredi. “We’ve asked for proper warning signs, barriers, or even speed cameras. But we only get promises after every tragedy, and then it goes quiet again.”
Residents say heavy trucks carrying goods to and from Zimbabwe frequently use the N1, and the steep descent near the curve often proves difficult to manage, especially in wet or low-visibility conditions. The road’s poor lighting and narrow shoulders only make matters worse.
In recent months, Limpopo’s transport department has faced growing criticism for failing to act on safety concerns. The fatal bus accident in the same area sparked outrage across the region, with families still waiting for full reports and accountability.
Today’s crash has reignited that anger. Social media is flooded with posts demanding immediate action, with hashtags like #FixTheN1 and #IngweCurve trending across South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“We can’t keep losing people at the same spot,” one post read. “How many accidents does it take before the government wakes up?”
Police have urged patience as they continue to manage the scene and coordinate the clean-up. By mid-afternoon, one lane had been reopened to ease the traffic pressure, but officials warned that visibility remained poor due to lingering dust.
Motorists travelling north have been advised to reroute through Louis Trichardt or delay their journeys until the evening. Emergency teams are expected to remain on-site throughout the day.
While investigations continue, frustration on the ground is growing. Residents fear it’s only a matter of time before another disaster strikes if stronger safety measures are not implemented.
For now, the overturned truck lies as a grim reminder of a curve that has taken far too many lives—each crash adding another scar to Limpopo’s busiest highway.
And as the dust slowly settles over the N1, one haunting question remains unanswered: how many more warnings will it take before this deadly stretch is finally made safe?
