A fruit truck driver is set to appear in court this week after a tragic accident in Tulbagh claimed the lives of four people. The incident occurred on Monday morning, January 13, 2025, when a truck, loaded with plums, lost its freight while navigating a bend on Drostdy Road. According to police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, the truck was traveling at high speed when crates filled with plums fell off and struck four pedestrians walking on the side of the road. The victims were identified as Elsabe Bezuidenhout, 58, her 25-year-old daughter, Ingrid Marthinus, and Ingrid’s two children: eight-year-old Jesnice and nine-month-old Lee John.
The family had been walking from the farm Vooruitsig into town to buy school clothes and other essentials when the devastating accident occurred. Tragically, Elsabe and Ingrid died on the spot from the injuries they sustained, while Jesnice succumbed to her injuries later in hospital. The infant, Lee John, was rushed to Tygerberg Hospital for medical treatment but passed away at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital later that day.
Witnesses reported that the fruit crates, which were not properly secured to the truck, had fallen onto the road, hitting the victims. This has prompted an investigation into charges of culpable homicide, as authorities seek to understand the full extent of the incident. The truck driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, is expected to face court proceedings after he is formally charged.
Billy Claasen of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation (RFWDO) expressed his sorrow over the tragic deaths, calling it a devastating loss for the local farmworker community. “We mourn the tragic death of these farm dwellers near Tulbagh. Our thoughts are with their families during this incredibly difficult time,” Claasen said. He added that further investigation would focus on the cause of the accident, particularly the state of the truck’s load.
The community is grappling with the impact of the loss, as the victims were well known in the area. Police continue their investigation into the circumstances of the accident, while the driver faces the prospect of legal action in connection with the fatalities. The truck driver is expected to appear in the Tulbagh Magistrate’s Court later this week.
