Another car hits cow on R61 as livestock crisis shows no signs of slowing

Another vehicle has collided with a cow on the R61, adding to the growing number of livestock-related crashes on roads across the Chris Hani District.

The latest collision happened on Saturday night at about 21:00, 25 July, near the Bolotwa turn-off on the R61 between Komani and Cofimvaba.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

People at the scene reported that there were numerous cattle on and alongside the roadway near the Bolotwa turn-off at the time of the collision, creating a serious hazard for motorists travelling along the route.

The latest incident comes despite repeated warnings and ongoing campaigns aimed at removing stray livestock from public roads.

Based on incidents reported through emergency services and official sources, Komani News has recorded the following livestock-related crashes since the beginning of June:

• 6 June – R61 near Tarkastad: Six people injured after a vehicle struck a cow.
• 7 June – N6 near Lesseyton: One person injured after a vehicle collided with a cow.
• 8 June – R61: One person injured in another livestock collision.
• 10 June – Near Komani: Three people injured after a vehicle struck a cow.
• 12 June – R67 near Tambo Village: Two people injured after a vehicle collided with a cow.
• 14 June – R61: One woman was killed and five other people were injured when a taxi collided with a cow.
• 19 June – N6 near Lesseyton: Another collision involving a cow was reported, although no injuries occurred.
• 27 June – R61 near Qombolo outside Cofimvaba: Five people injured after a vehicle struck a cow.
• 5 July – R61 outside Komani: One person injured after a Toyota Quantum collided with a cow.
• 6 July – R56 near Indwe: An Isuzu D-Max struck a cow. No injuries were reported.
• 6 July – R67 at Tambo Village: A Fidelity Services Group bakkie collided with a cow. No injuries were reported.
• 11 July – R61 near Qamata Basin: Three people injured after a Toyota Quantum collided with a cow.
• 13 July – R67 outside Whittlesea: A vehicle struck a cow. No injuries were reported.
• 23 July – N6 near Bailey Cutts towards Jamestown: A vehicle collided with a cow. No injuries were reported.
• 25 July – R61 near Bolotwa: A vehicle collided with a cow. No injuries were reported.

These are only the collisions that have been confirmed through emergency services, officials or other reliable sources. It is understood that other livestock-related crashes may occur without being formally reported, meaning the actual number could be higher.

Komani News has now recorded at least 15 livestock-related crashes across the Chris Hani District since the beginning of June.

Those crashes have left 27 people injured and claimed one life.

Earlier this month, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality said it shares responsibility with the Department of Transport for removing stray animals from roads. Municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa said an ongoing campaign involving Public Safety, the Department of Transport, EMS and other stakeholders had resulted in more than 64 stray livestock being impounded in the past month.

Despite those efforts, reports of cattle roaming on major routes continue.

Saturday night’s collision, together with reports from people at the scene of numerous cattle on and near the R61 by the Bholotwa turn-off, has renewed concerns about the danger roaming livestock continues to pose to motorists travelling through the district, particularly after dark.