The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has expressed deep concern following a devastating Limpopo crash that left 13 people dead on Sunday.
Limpopo Crash Tragedy
The collision occurred on the R81 near Ga-Sekgopo, outside Mooketsi. According to preliminary reports, a truck failed to brake in time and rammed into a minibus taxi from behind before striking another truck. The taxi, caught between the two heavy vehicles, was crushed.
All 13 victims, including a child estimated to be between seven and ten years old, were passengers in the taxi. They had been returning from a church service in Solomondale and were heading to Magoro village near Giyani. The taxi driver also died in the crash.
The R81 was closed for several hours as emergency teams worked to recover bodies from the wreckage. Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing.
Call for Caution
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane urged truck and freight operators to prioritise safety and remain vigilant on the roads.
“The Road Traffic Management Corporation is calling on freight and public transport vehicle drivers to improve their behaviour and put safety first,” Zwane said.
Another Fatal Crash in KwaZulu-Natal
In a separate incident, KwaZulu-Natal emergency services responded to a deadly collision in Pinetown, west of Durban.
Around 1am on Sunday, two vehicles collided head-on along Underwood Road near Hans Detman Road. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said a woman in her forties, one of the drivers, died at the scene from her injuries.
Two other occupants from the second vehicle sustained serious injuries. They were stabilised on-site by advanced paramedics before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Road Safety Concerns
The two tragedies highlight the persistent dangers on South African roads, with authorities once again calling on motorists particularly truck drivers and public transport operators to exercise greater caution to prevent further loss of life.
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