A tragic accident on the R524 road outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo has claimed the lives of six people, leaving one survivor in serious condition. The devastating crash occurred on Sunday, 19 October, and has once again highlighted the ongoing concern over road safety in the province.
According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the crash happened when a vehicle lost control and veered off the road in the Vhembe District. Four people, including the driver, died instantly at the scene, while two others were rushed to hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. One passenger miraculously survived and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Department spokesperson Dali Tshifhiwa confirmed that preliminary investigations suggest the vehicle may have lost control due to high speed or driver fatigue, though the exact cause has yet to be determined. The department stated that a full investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. She described the loss as a painful tragedy that could have been prevented through cautious driving and adherence to road rules. Mathye also urged motorists to be more vigilant, particularly during the Transport Month enforcement campaign aimed at reducing road fatalities across the province.
“This tragic loss of life is a stark reminder that road safety begins with each one of us,” said Mathye. “We continue to plead with drivers to obey the rules of the road and avoid reckless driving that endangers both their lives and the lives of others.”
The Limpopo province has experienced a worrying spike in fatal accidents in recent weeks. On 28 September, 12 people, including a seven-year-old child, were killed on the R81 near Ga-Sekhopo after a minibus taxi collided with two heavy vehicles. Just weeks later, on 12 October, another devastating crash on the N1 north of Louis Trichardt claimed the lives of 43 passengers from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo when a bus overturned.
These successive tragedies have prompted renewed calls for stricter law enforcement and public awareness campaigns to address driver negligence, speeding, and poor vehicle maintenance — issues often cited as key contributors to Limpopo’s high accident rate.
Community members have since taken to social media to express their grief and frustration, calling for improved road infrastructure and stronger traffic control measures on dangerous routes like the R524.
As investigations into the Thohoyandou crash continue, authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, especially during early morning and late-night travel. The department reiterated its commitment to ensuring safer roads through ongoing patrols, roadworthiness checks, and awareness campaigns.
The latest tragedy serves as another sobering reminder of the importance of road discipline and the devastating cost of carelessness behind the wheel.
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