The departmental spokesperson, Hillary Mophethe, says at the moment there is no construction taking place on the road. It remains closed, however. The road had claimed at least 15 deaths in a space of three months, from January to March 2022. The department previously said the R30 has been flooded several times during the recent rainy season. In addition, authorities believe several drivers have lost control of their vehicles once they hit the gravel portion (on the road) at high speeds, ending up submerged in the water next to the road.

ALSO READ: 15 lives lost in #R30 accidents since January

Mophethe adds that a tender has been advertised and once the process is finalised, a company will be appointed and construction will begin.

Following the closure of the road, OFM News previously reported that a driver and a passenger survived an incident scare without injuries, this is despite the “road closure” signs being displayed. Relating to that incident, the Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, Sipho Towa, told OFM News that the vehicle submerged in the water next to the R30 road.

ALSO READ: Another accident on #R30 - despite road closure

At the beginning of the year, an Intercape bus liner also ended up in the water; however, no casualties were reported in that incident.

Shortly after that, six people drowned after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control and landed in the water. It was after that incident that contractors reinforced the road surface of the section of the R30 road to curb further incidents. However, even after that – accidents kept occurring until it was recently closed for the construction that is yet to begin.

OFM News