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.
