Professor misses mothers funeral due to pothole

Professor Wannie Carstens, head of the language faculty at the Potchefstroom university, was driving to Upington early on Saturday morning when his Mercedes Benz hit a pothole that shredded his two left tyres, Beeld reported.

"I was driving at a speed of about 100km/h. We hit the pothole about 15km outside Ottosdal... it was still dark outside."

His car had to be towed to Klerksdorp. The tyres were replaced, but Carstens was unable to continue his journey due to possible damage to his car's chassis and wheel rims.

"My brother was upset, and my sister was in tears," Carstens said.

He wants to sue the province for R6000 for the damage to his car, but says nothing can compensate him for the emotional loss of being unable to attend the funeral of his parent.

North West roads and transport department spokesman Matshube Mfoloe said the road needed major repairs, but there was no money available.