Maiden (17) injured after being hit by car outside Reed Dance

A 17-year-old maiden was injured after she was struck by a car outside eMashobeni Royal Palace on the R66 on Sunday, with the driver arrested after allegedly testing three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Amahle Kweyama from Richmond suffered a fractured leg in the crash but has since recovered and is expected to return home, according to KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma.

The driver, who works for a car dealership in Ulundi, was arrested after a breathalyser test conducted by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers allegedly recorded 0.74mg of alcohol per litre of breath.

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Duma said the reading was almost three times the legal limit and the driver is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Duma commended RTI officers, community leaders and health professionals for their swift response following the crash, saying the incident could have had far more serious consequences.

We pause to salute health professionals who provided quality healthcare to a maiden who suffered a fractured leg after being hit by a car outside eMashobeni Royal Palace.

He said his office had liaised with Richmond Municipality speaker Khonziwe Mkhize and health professionals led by Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane to ensure the teenager received assistance.

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Duma also praised community leaders Khaya Khumalo and Majuba Mavuso for assisting maidens at the scene.

He said additional resources have been deployed to manage traffic and prevent accidents and congestion around the palace.

More than 100 buses and 700 taxis were involved in transporting maidens, he said.

Traffic officers were deployed from Jozini, uMhlabuyalingana, Inkosi uMtubatuba, uPhongolo and Abaqulusi local municipalities, alongside RTI and Operation Shanela teams.

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Duma said the combined operation had helped minimise congestion and prevent potentially serious accidents.

RTI and the Operation Shanela team will continue with patrols, inspections, and traffic management as maidens return home.

He also commended bus companies, taxi operators and other motorists for adhering to the rules of the road.

Duma urged motorists to remain vigilant and obey traffic laws as maidens continue returning home following the cultural ceremony.