Photo - Accident that occurred at this notorious T-junction
It was a hectic Saturday night (1 February 2025) in Ermelo, with three separate road accidents reported within about an hour. Two of these incidents occurred in town—one at Kerk and Buhrman Street involving a collision between two vehicles, and another just outside Ermelo on the N2, where a driver crashed into a safety barricade after claiming a coal truck was involved and then left the scene.
However, the most alarming accident took place at the notorious Lothair–Chrissiesmeer T-junction, where a Mercedes driver apparently did not see the junction and crashed through the barricade at high speed on Saturday night. Due to a gentle curve to the right on the approach from Lothair and the T-junction’s elevated position above the surrounding farmland, drivers who fail to slow down often go airborne for a brief moment before nosediving down the embankment. The Mercedes driver was taken to hospital by ER24.
Photo (Google Maps) of Lothair–Chrissiesmeer T-junction
In response to the series of previous crashes at this same T-junction, iNews reached out to the Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) to inquire about the lack of proper signage, absence of rumble strips, and other warning measures that might prevent further accidents. Initially, there was no reply. A follow-up email elicited a short response stating that the junction “does not belong to the Municipality” and is maintained by the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads, and Transport. Residents, however, argue that dismissing responsibility is especially troubling given that it is predominantly MLM community members who use this road and have been injured or killed in these accidents. Despite repeated attempts to obtain further comment or detail on any proactive steps MLM might take to advocate for improvements, iNews has received no additional response—fueling concern about the municipality’s commitment to the well-being of its own constituents.
27 April 2024
This notorious T-junction has been the site of multiple serious crashes, including incidents on 27 April 2024, 28 April 2024, 14 June 2024 (involving a mother and her baby), and 11 August 2024. One local resident, who stopped at the scene of a 2024 crash while iNews was on site, disclosed to our reporter that her husband lost his life at the same spot in 2023—underscoring the tragic history associated with this stretch of road. Community members have repeatedly called for better safety measures, expressing deep concern that without swift collaboration between local and provincial authorities, more accidents are inevitable.
28 April 2024
14 June 2024
11 August 2024