KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC of Social Development, Mbali Shinga, was involved in a traffic incident on the N3 highway in Pietermaritzburg on 6 January 2025. The accident occurred during a heavy downpour that has caused widespread disruption across the province.
Shinga was part of a motorcade that became stuck in traffic due to the wet weather conditions. While waiting for the traffic to clear, a speeding vehicle crashed into the back of one of the security cars in the motorcade. This collision caused a chain reaction, with the security vehicle then hitting the car in which the MEC was travelling.
Fortunately, Shinga escaped the accident without injury. Authorities confirmed that the collision took place under challenging weather conditions, which have prompted an Orange Level weather warning from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for the area.
SABC News reported that while the accident caused some concern, no serious injuries were reported, and the traffic situation in Pietermaritzburg gradually returned to normal.
This incident highlights the dangers of driving during adverse weather conditions and the importance of caution on the roads, especially when motorcades and heavy rainfall are involved.
