Hazardous Chemical Spill Shuts Down N11 Highway Near Rathoke Following Heavy Vehicle Rollover Incident

N11 near Rathoke closed after a hazardous goods truck overturns. Limpopo transport officials urge motorists to use R33 and N1 bypasses during cleanup.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 6:55 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Primedia Plus

Emergency Containment at the Rathoke Weighbridge

The N11 highway in Limpopo was forced into an immediate shutdown on Saturday following a high-stakes vehicular accident involving a truck carrying dangerous goods. The vehicle overturned in the vicinity of the Rathoke weighbridge, resulting in a significant breach of its cargo and a subsequent spillage across the asphalt. The Limpopo Department of Transport confirmed that specialized emergency response units arrived on the scene shortly after midday to initiate containment protocols. These teams are tasked with neutralizing the hazardous substances to prevent environmental contamination and ensuring the structural safety of the road surface before it can be reopened to the public.

Directives for Regional Traffic Diversion

In response to the total obstruction of the N11, provincial transport authorities have issued urgent travel advisories for all motorists operating in the region. According to departmental officials, drivers traveling between Marble Hall and Mokopane are being redirected to utilize the R33 toward the N1 as a primary alternative. Those destined for Polokwane have been advised to transition to the B2534 or the Plaasboom route to circumvent the affected area. These diversions are expected to remain in place for several hours as the technical complexity of the clean-up operation requires a sterile environment for the hazardous materials teams to operate effectively.

Departmental Appeals for Motorist Cooperation

Spokesperson Matome Tauetsoala addressed the public regarding the incident, emphasizing the necessity of patience while the hazardous material is meticulously cleared. The department has officially apologized for the disruption, noting that the nature of the "dangerous goods" requires a slow and methodical decontamination process that cannot be rushed for the sake of traffic flow. According to Tauetsoala, the safety of the clean-up crews and the prevention of secondary accidents are the current priorities of the Limpopo provincial government. The department has committed to providing real-time updates through official channels as soon as the roadway is deemed chemically stable and safe for transit.