BOOZE GALORE AS BEER TRUCK OVERTURNS:

MBABANE – Just when folk around Nkomazi were wondering on what to do on a hot day, a truck loaded with beer overturned.

Yesterday, around 10am, residents of Nkomazi were treated to an unexpected spectacle when a truck carrying crates of beer lost control and ended up on its side.
The incident occurred near a popular curve on the road leading towards the Nkomazi River, leaving the area abuzz with activity, but not the kind one might expect in the aftermath of an accident. The curve is a popular area because it also has some bars nearby.

According to a police officer at the scene, the information they gathered was that trouble started when the truck’s brakes failed while the driver was descending a steep slope. Realising that his brakes had given up, the driver quickly steered the truck away from the main road and into a drainage ditch on the left side, in a last-ditch attempt to avoid colliding with oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, his manoeuvre was not enough to prevent the truck from tipping over, and it crashed to the ground, landing on its left side and sliding about 20 metres before coming to a complete stop.

The sound of the truck’s fall echoed through the area like a set of Christmas bells ringing in the distance as beer crates fell on the tarmac , and residents who were nearby did not need to be told twice. Many, who were just trying to make the most of a hot day, rushed out to the scene with one thought in mind: to grab the beer that had fallen off the truck.It is worth noting that it is illegal to take beer that has fallen off a truck during an accident and it is considered theft. Ironically, the truck had overturned right next to a collection of local bars, where drinkers were already making their way to buy a cold one. As the residents heard the thud of the truck’s impact, they began flocking to the scene. Some rushed to assist the passengers and the driver, but it soon became clear that the majority were more interested in offloading the precious cargo—beer—than saving the lives of those involved in the accident.

Disbelief

To the disbelief of some, women and children, who could have been enjoying a dip at the nearby Nkomazi River, were instead found eagerly hauling crates of beer from the overturned truck. As the hot sun beat down, the truck’s contents quickly became the highlight of the day. Within moments, beer was flying off the truck, with some locals cracking open bottles right there on the spot.

While the jubilant crowd indulged in their newfound bounty, emergency personnel—fire-fighters and police officers—were called to the scene and arrived. Traffic police officers from Mbabane arrived at the scene. Typically, officers from Pigg’s Peak patrol Nkomazi, but in this case, since the accident happened on the other side of the Nkomazi bridge, Mbabane law enforcement arrived instead.

 A traffic police officer, who was one of the first to arrive, expressed his amazement at how quickly the crowd dispersed once the authorities arrived on the scene. “It was  quite impressive,” he said, “because usually, when people steal beer, they tend to put up a fight with the police but this time they ran immediately after they heard the sirens.”
Noteworthy, in areas like Sidwashini and Malagwane Hill, residents often only leave when the police have fired warning shots into the air. This time, however, they seemed to know when to walk away.

Deliver

Two of the truck’s passengers were rushed to hospital with injuries, while the driver, was attended by medical personnel and remained at the scene. It was  gathered that the truck had been en route to Pigg’s Peak and Buhleni to deliver at different bottle stores. Interestingly, this is not the first incident to occur on this stretch of road recently. Just a few weeks ago, a truck carrying water rolled back, while parked by the side of the road. It crashed into a nearby house, sending residents rushing to the scene with the same eager anticipation. However, according to eye sources, their hopes were dashed when they realised that the truck was only carrying water, not beer.

Meanwhile, in October 2024, a similar situation occurred in South Africa, when a hose and trailer truck got stuck. This happened when many South Africans had received their salaries, and also during which time many people bought beer. Unlike in Eswatini, where residents wait for the truck to overturn, South Africans did not need this but quickly helped themselves to the contents of the truck. This is said to have happened in Durban. Some motorists stopped their vehicles on the side of the freeway. Even kombi drivers stopped to steal the alcohol, unconcerned that they were transporting commuters.

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