Death of Thabang Sidloyi - A Tragic Reminder of the Dangers on Our Roads

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

I was saddened to hear of the death of 27 year old Thabang Sidloyi, a young actor and musician, in a horrific crash on the N2 on Friday evening. The crash was captured on video which has since been posted on social media.

Sidloyi is believed to have been recorded as he was flung from a BMW convertible after it collided with a barrier along the N2.

A preliminary account of the collision, from Provincial Traffic Services, indicates that three light motor vehicles were involved, a Kia, a Peugeot, and a BMW convertible. The incident took place on Friday, 28 November, at approximately 19:50 on the N2, where the driver of the BMW convertible allegedly lost control of the vehicle.

South African Police Services (SAPS) is investigating the possible causes of the crash.

The video shows the vehicle travelling at a high speed just moments before the fatal collision occurred. Early indications suggest that Sidloyi may have not been buckled up in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

This is too often the case in a country with low compliance levels when it comes to restraints.

Research has shown that increased seat belt compliance will mean thousands of lives, like Sidloyi’s, that would have otherwise been lost in the horrific crashes that plague our roads, are saved. Failure to use a seat belt is a certain route to death or serious injury during collisions.

When a motor vehicle crash occurs, the occupants who are not restrained continue to move forward at the same speed at which the vehicle was travelling before the collision. They are either catapulted forward into the structure of the vehicle, into other occupants or ejected from the vehicle to almost certain death. This horror is experienced daily on our roads, with Sidloyi becoming the latest victim, and can often be avoided by the simple act of BUCKLING UP.

The Western Cape Government extends its deepest condolences to Sidloyi’s family and loved ones. As tragic and senseless as road deaths are, they are also avoidable through responsible road use. Excessive speeds, alcohol consumption, and not buckling up, continue to be the biggest killers on our roads. I appeal to all road users to exercise extreme caution as our roads are set to get busier and busier over the upcoming festive season. We will be clamping down on reckless and irresponsible road use over this period, and ask all road users to join us as we tackle this scourge, and continue to ensure that fewer lives are lost on our roads as a result.