Man Dragged To Death By Durban Waste Truck In Tragic oThongathi Accident

A 29-year-old man tragically lost his life after being dragged for about 10 metres by a Durban Waste Services (DWS) waste removal truck on Douglas Saunders Road in Hambanathi, oThongathi, on Thursday.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that oThongathi police have opened a case of culpable homicide following the incident.

“On Thursday, 30 October, on Douglas Saunders Road in Hambanathi, Tongaat, a 29-year-old man died, reportedly after jumping into a moving waste removal truck,” said Netshiunda. “He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police and Emergency Services Respond

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said that reaction officers were dispatched to the scene, where they discovered the man lying face down in a prone position.

“He bled extensively from injuries to his stomach and head,” Balram said, adding that the victim had been dragged approximately 10 metres.

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According to Balram, the driver of a Mercedes-Benz Axor bin truck belonging to DWS explained that he was collecting refuse bags when he saw the man sitting by the roadside.

“The driver was unaware that the pedestrian had entered the roadway. As he drove downhill, a bystander alerted him that someone was being dragged by his truck,” Balram stated.

The identity of the deceased has since been established.

Similar Tragedy in Durban CBD

This is not the first time a fatal incident involving a waste truck has occurred in the Durban area. In 2022, a 40-year-old DSW employee was killed while working on a refuse collection truck in the Durban CBD.

Police reported that the man fell off the truck at around 7am and was run over when the driver, unaware of what had happened, reversed.

At the time, the eThekwini Municipality described the event as “unfortunate” and extended condolences to the worker’s family.

The city has been approached for comment regarding the latest tragedy.

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