MBOMBELA, MPUMALANGA — What was meant to be a time of travel and celebration over the Easter long weekend turned tragic in Mpumalanga, where two separate minibus taxi accidents claimed the lives of four people on Monday. The devastating incidents occurred just hours apart, casting a dark cloud over the province despite heightened road safety operations.
Authorities from the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison confirmed that the fatal crashes took place along two major routes — the N2 highway between eMkhondo and Ermelo, and the R568 near KwaMhlanga.
The first and deadliest crash happened at approximately 11:00 AM on the N2, about eight kilometres outside eMkhondo. A minibus taxi collided head-on with a sedan in what has been described as a high-impact crash. Emergency responders arrived to find a chaotic scene, with wreckage scattered across the road.
Three people, all passengers in the taxi, were declared dead at the scene. Five other passengers sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment both on-site and at nearby healthcare facilities. The collision forced the temporary closure of the N2, causing major delays for motorists returning from Easter holidays.
While investigations are ongoing, early indications suggest that risky overtaking may have played a role in the crash.
Earlier that morning, at around 9:40 AM, a second accident occurred on the R568 near the Kameelpoort Bridge, between Vaalbank and KwaMhlanga. In this incident, a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi travelling from Zebediela in Limpopo toward Pretoria lost control and overturned.
The vehicle reportedly rolled several times before coming to a stop, trapping passengers inside. One person died in the crash, while five others suffered serious injuries. An additional ten passengers escaped with minor injuries. Emergency teams transported the injured to hospitals in the KwaMhlanga area for urgent treatment.
The R568, often used as an alternative to the busy Moloto Road, is known for carrying high volumes of taxi and heavy vehicle traffic, making it a focus area for road safety monitoring.
Following the incidents, the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also raised concerns about driver fatigue, particularly during long-distance travel periods.
Macie warned that many accidents occur during daylight hours when drivers lose focus or rush to reach their destinations. He urged motorists to rest regularly and avoid dangerous driving behaviour.
The tragedies come despite intensified law enforcement efforts across the province during the Easter weekend. Authorities implemented roadblocks, vehicle inspections, and sobriety testing as part of ongoing safety campaigns.
According to official figures, more than 100 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, while 27 were caught speeding. One driver was recorded travelling at nearly 180 km/h on the N4. Additionally, hundreds of vehicles were impounded for being unroadworthy.
Road safety continues to be a major concern in Mpumalanga, particularly along busy transport routes linking South Africa to neighbouring countries. Officials have also appealed to the public not to share graphic images of the accidents on social media, out of respect for the victims’ families.
As the Easter period comes to an end, investigations into both crashes are underway, with experts examining possible causes including driver error, fatigue, and vehicle condition.
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