The police are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving after the driver of a Toyota bakkie drove through a fence and crashed into the wall of a house in Pampierstad.
THE POLICE are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving after the driver of a Toyota bakkie drove through a fence and crashed into the wall of a house in Pampierstad.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said incident took place on July 10.
Tawana added that the driver of the bakkie and a passenger were injured and taken to the local hospital for medical care, while the bakkie was towed away.
The bakkie smashed through a bedroom wall while the homeowner, an elderly woman, was in another room in the house.
The bakkie also narrowly missed a pedestrian, who said that she had to “run for cover” when the vehicle swerved towards her while she was walking on the pavement.
Local residents blamed the accident on the condition of the roads.
There is a new project under way in Pampierstad which started patching the previously tarred roads two weeks ago.
The residents said that the roads have, however, become even worse and they accused the service provider of using poor material.
A concerned community member, Itumeleng Lekepe, said similar incidents have started to happen since the potholes have been filled.
He said the material has put the lives of pedestrians and motorists at risk as it turns into dust and the loose stones damage the cars.
“With the potholes, drivers knew that they had to duck and dive to avoid them. Now they become relaxed, thinking that the road is in a good condition, only for incidents like this to happen,” said Lekepe.
“Pedestrians are afraid of walking on the pavements because the cars avoid driving on the roads. The loose sand and stones are now layered on the sides of the road, making it dangerous for the cars to drive on.
“Homeowners are exposed to the dust from the newly patched roads, while the loose stones also damage the windows. It is a nightmare whenever a heavy vehicle passes by.”
Lekepe said he is hoping that this accident serves as a warning to Phokwane Local Municipality.
“We have raised these concerns with the municipality, but we are not taken seriously.
“It will be worse when it rains,” he warned.
Phokwane Municipality had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
