Two more cow crashes reported on R61 near Komani

Two further crashes involving cows have been reported on the R61 between Komani and Cofimvaba, adding to the mounting number of livestock-related collisions recorded across the Chris Hani District since June.

The first happened on Thursday night, 6 August, on the R61 between Komani and Cofimvaba. No injuries were reported.

A second collision took place at Qamata on Saturday, 8 August. A commuter sent Komani News a video showing a vehicle on its side next to the road and a dead cow in the roadway.

It could not immediately be confirmed how many people were in the vehicle or whether anyone was injured in the Qamata crash.

The latest incidents follow another R61 cow collision on 5 August, in which the driver of a Toyota Verso was taken to Cofimvaba Hospital.

Komani News has recorded the following livestock-related crashes confirmed through emergency services, officials or other reliable sources 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: A collision involving a cow was reported; no injuries.
• 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.
• 6 July – R67 at Tambo Village: A vehicle collided with a cow; no injuries.
• 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.
• 23 July – N6 near Bailey Cutts towards Jamestown: A vehicle collided with a cow; no injuries.
• 25 July – R61 near Bolotwa: A vehicle collided with a cow; no injuries.
• 5 August – R61: A Toyota Verso collided with a cow. One person was taken to Cofimvaba Hospital.
• 6 August – R61 between Komani and Cofimvaba: A vehicle collided with a cow; no injuries reported.
• 8 August – R61 at Qamata: A vehicle collided with a cow and came to rest on its side. Injuries could not immediately be confirmed.

The confirmed record now stands at at least 18 livestock-related crashes, leaving at least 28 people injured and claiming one life since the beginning of June.

The figure may be higher, as some crashes may not be formally reported. The repeated incidents on the R61 between Komani and Cofimvaba underline the danger posed by roaming cattle, particularly after dark.