The R75 in Gqeberha is quickly gaining a grim reputation — not for its traffic flow or convenience, but for the alarming number of fatal crashes that have taken place along its stretch.
Over the past few weeks, it’s turned into one of the most dangerous roads in the city, with four lives lost in just over a week.
For families, drivers, and pedestrians in the area, the risk on this route feels painfully real.
Weekend Horror as Pedestrian Killed Near Despatch
On the morning of Saturday, April 26, tragedy struck again.
A woman attempting to cross the R75 near Despatch was hit by an oncoming Isuzu vehicle.
Emergency services rushed her to hospital, but despite their efforts, she later died from her injuries.
Police have since opened a case of culpable homicide and confirmed that investigations are underway to determine what exactly led to the incident.
Double Fatality in Late-Night Collision on April 25
Just the night before, on Friday, April 25, another devastating accident unfolded on the same road.
At around 11:20 p.m., a head-on collision between a grey Hyundai and a silver Suzuki near the Bayland intersection claimed two lives instantly. Both drivers, aged 62 and 52, died at the scene.
Among the victims was Johnny Arends, a long-serving councillor from the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
Arends, who had been with the Democratic Alliance (DA) since 2011, was described by the party as a dedicated public servant with an unwavering commitment to his community in Ward 34.
His sudden death has left colleagues and residents in shock.
Earlier Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead in Zwide
These recent tragedies come just days after another fatal incident on April 17.
At the intersection of R75 and Johnson Road in Zwide, a maroon Renault Kwid lost control, overturned, broke through a school fence, and hit a pedestrian.
Sadly, the pedestrian — believed to be between 55 and 60 years old — died at the scene.
Authorities are still working to identify him and have urged the public to come forward with any information.
A Road Crying Out for Change
With multiple lives lost in such a short time span, the R75 is under intense scrutiny.
Residents and local leaders are calling for serious interventions to improve safety, whether that’s better road markings, increased traffic patrols, or speed-reduction measures in high-risk areas.
The rising death toll is a painful reminder that road safety can’t be taken lightly — especially on major routes like the R75 that see high volumes of both vehicles and pedestrians every day.
Your Voice Matters in This Conversation
Do you think enough is being done to make roads like the R75 safer? What steps do you believe should be taken to prevent more tragedies like these?