SAFETY CONCERNS AFTER ANOTHER OSHOEK TRUCK CRASH

MBABANE - A devastating accident at the Oshoek Border Gate yesterday morning has raised concerns of safety among travellers and those in the freight industry.
The concerns were raised on this publication’s Facebook page, where it was posted that a coal-laden truck lost control, ramming into 16 stationary vehicles and injuring three individuals who were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. This is the second time such an accident occurs at the same border post within a two-month period, sparking widespread outrage over the safety of emaSwati and other travellers. Among those who raised concerns over the safety of travellers using the Ngwenya – Oshoek Border Gate were eyewitnesses, whose accounts of the accident described the scene as nothing short of ‘chaotic’. “It was like a bomb was exploding. I had never seen a truck speeding like that one after the driver lost control of it,” recounted one driver. While investigations into the cause of the accident were still ongoing last night, many have already pointed to potential contributing factors.

Concern

Some commentators cast aspersions and claimed the root cause of the accidents may lie with the road infrastructure itself. Many Facebook users expressed concern over the safety of the Oshoek Border Gate and called for improved safety measures, including the expansion of adjacent ports of entry, such as the Bulembu and Sandlane Border posts. “This is not just about investing in more roads, it’s about creating alternative routes that can alleviate congestion and minimise the risk of accidents. It’s high time the two governments take action to ensure our safety,” argued one user. Others raised questions about the structural integrity of the road and the safety measures in place. “This accident is a sign of a major challenge with the stretch leading to the border gate. Something needs to be done before we suffer the worst,” noted one concerned citizen. The accident sparked calls for urgent action to prevent a repeat of such incidents as the port of entry into Eswatini and South Africa is said to facilitate the travel of over 300 trucks per day.

It is worth noting that the port of entry operates 24 hours and is said to be the busiest in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) ports of entry, according to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The port of entry links South Africa and Eswatini and is known for long queues of trucks. This port of entry, according to the World Customs Organisation (WCO), is said to facilitate the transportation of goods, among the two countries with over 300 trucks per day. It is worth noting that the Ngwenya/Oshoek Border is the leading trading port, according to statistics released by SARS, as on average it facilitates trade in excess of E3 billion per month in both imports and exports between the two countries. The WCO in its June 25, 2024, reported that the flow of traffic through Oshoek transports mainly processed coal and minerals (30 per cent), manufactured goods (15 per cent) and sugar (12 per cent), while approximately 300 trucks per day flow into Ngwenya, primarily carrying coal and minerals (50 per cent), and household and retail goods (25 per cent).

Meanwhile, one of the Facebook commenters said: “These trucks will kill us all as we avoid them daily,” warned one user. “Clearly, this place is no longer safe. The next thing that will happen is that everything there will be gutted down by fire following an accident, and we’ll lose many lives and property.” Regarding the accident and safety concerns, Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini said, for now, assessments are ongoing, following the accident. Dlamini said the ministry could only advise where appropriate after the assessment. His comments were subsequent to the safety concerns raised by some locals on social media. Also, some truck drivers believe that the accident would have not occurred had it not been for the lack of a trucks cooling station just before the border gate.

The drivers said their experience had taught them that the state of the road leading to the border gate deserved truck cooling just like in Eswatini. Worth noting is that the Eswatini Government initiated a truck cooling station at Mangwaneni to ensure that the engines were cooled before the trucks drive down Malagwane Hill. This came after truck mostly those driven by foreigners caused accidents at the steep part of the Mbabane- Manzini Highway Road.

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