A devastating weekend on Mpumalanga’s roads has resulted in the deaths of ten people across two separate collisions, provincial authorities confirmed.
The most recent crash occurred on Sunday afternoon along the R540 road near Dullstroom. The collision involved a minibus taxi and a sports utility vehicle (SUV). According to a report, the two vehicles were involved in a sideswipe collision.
Tragically, six people lost their lives in the incident. All six deceased were passengers in the minibus taxi. Eight other individuals sustained serious injuries. The injured include seven passengers from the minibus taxi and the driver of the SUV. The minibus taxi driver himself sustained only slight injuries. All those injured in the R540 crash were transported to a nearby hospital in Belfast for treatment.
In a separate incident on Saturday, four people were killed when the vehicle they were traveling in overturned on the N11 highway between Middelburg and Loskop Dam. Three other occupants of the vehicle suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious.
The exact cause of both crashes remains unclear and authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collisions.
In light of these incidents, the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr. Jim, has reiterated his call for motorists to exercise greater caution on the roads. This appeal comes amid the ongoing October Transport Month, a period dedicated to promoting road safety.