Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s executive mayor, Mapulane Precious Nkosi, and her two bodyguards were involved in a road accident on the R40 in Mbombela on March 6.

Nkosi, her bodyguards, and the driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries and were rushed to Mediclinic Nelspruit around 10:30 AM.

The mayor was a passenger in a white Audi SUV, traveling from Barberton towards Mbombela when the collision occurred. Reports indicate that the other vehicle, coming from the opposite direction, attempted to turn right onto Hilltop Road, leading to the crash.

Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation

Witnesses at the scene reported that two black BMWs with flashing blue lights had been escorting the mayor’s vehicle, but these cars were not involved in the crash.

By the time Lowveld Media arrived, only the two damaged vehicles remained at the scene. The escorting vehicles were nowhere in sight.

A traffic officer on the scene confirmed that Nkosi was placed on a stretcher and lifted into an ambulance, while her bodyguards managed to walk into it themselves. The driver of the second vehicle sustained minor injuries to his arm and was also transported to the hospital.

Accident-Prone Area

This stretch of the R40 has seen several accidents in recent weeks, including one where the driver of a BMW tragically lost their life.

Authorities are investigating the incident, while concerns continue to grow about the safety of this road.