A pedestrian died after being struck by a taxi on the N2 in Somerset West on Tuesday 18 November, just metres from a R22 million bridge built specifically to prevent such incidents.
The 48-year-old Macassar resident was struck by a Toyota Quantum taxi at 08:42 on the highway, opposite Helderzicht Sports Ground, and taken to hospital.
The 28-year-old taxi driver was arrested at the scene and charged with reckless and negligent driving, after his vehicle hit the pedestrian and a second vehicle. The driver of the grey Hyundai i20 involved in the collision sustained no injuries.
Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police, confirmed the man died the same evening. The charge against the taxi driver has since been changed to culpable homicide.
Jantjies said according to a report, the pedestrian was walking close to the shoulder of the road the same moment the taxi allegedly drove onto it. This formed part of the investigation based on eyewitness statements. Also being investigated is whether the pedestrian was actually crossing the highway, but this could not be confirmed.
The accident has reignited community concerns about such incidents still occurring on the busy highway after a pedestrian bridge was erected near De Beers Avenue, just metres away.
The incident was not the first pedestrian incident since the bridge was completed; over the years many have involved learners on their way to or from school.
In July 2024 two schoolchildren were hit by a police vehicle that swerved to avoid another car (“Children struck down on N2“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 31 July 2024).
The Somerset West police could not provide statistics for pedestrian accidents and fatalities on the N2 within their precinct at the time of publication. However, they did respond to wary residents’ concerns of possibly falling prey to robbers when using the bridge.
“According to our records, we have no reports of robberies on the bridge, but we do have reports of robberies in De Beers Avenue,” Jantjies confirmed.
She suggested pedestrians who fear criminality should walk in groups when using the bridge, further urging locals to contact the police when they see suspicious-looking individuals on and around the bridge.
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Unveiled in August 2020, after decades of community advocacy to provide a safe passage for residents of Helderzicht, Paardevlei, Garden Village, Lourensia Park, Donkerbos and Carey Park, the bridge was built specifically for Gordon High and Danie Ackermann Primary school learners. (“N2 bridge at last”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 24 August 2020).
The project had gained momentum after anti-apartheid doyen Dr Allan Boesak delivered an inspirational speech at a community meeting at Gordon High in November 2017.
The bridge was built by the then-Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, which was split into the Department of Mobility and Department of Infrastructure in February 2023.
The Department of Mobility was approached for comment, but had not responded by the time of going to print.
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