Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the tragic bus accident that claimed 42 lives in Limpopo on Sunday, 13 October 2025, was caused by severe overloading. The long-distance bus, which was travelling from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape to Harare, Zimbabwe, was carrying far more passengers than its licensed capacity.
Creecy visited the accident scene on the N1 Highway between Musina and Makhado, where rescue teams had been working tirelessly to recover bodies and assist survivors. The minister expressed her condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and emphasised that the government would ensure a full investigation into the incident.
According to Creecy, the bus was only meant to carry 60 passengers but had 90 people on board at the time of the crash. “This level of overloading is unacceptable and directly endangers lives,” she said. “We will be engaging with authorities to ensure that the responsible company faces the full consequences of the law.”
The Zimbabwean-registered bus reportedly lost control near Ingwe Lodge before overturning and rolling down an embankment. Among the deceased was a 10-month-old baby. The horrific crash left several others critically injured, while those with minor injuries were treated at nearby hospitals. Some survivors were later transferred to other medical facilities in the province for further care.
Creecy acknowledged the investigation would be challenging as all three drivers on duty perished in the accident. “Their loss complicates our efforts to determine what exactly went wrong, but we will leave no stone unturned in uncovering the cause,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, described the incident as a devastating loss for both nations. Speaking after visiting some of the injured survivors, Hamadziripi revealed that many passengers were travelling home for the holidays. He added that the Zimbabwean Consulate would work closely with South African authorities to identify victims and repatriate the bodies of those who had died.
The Limpopo tragedy has reignited national concern about road safety and the dangers of overloading. Many South Africans took to social media to express outrage and sorrow over the recurring road disasters that claim dozens of lives every year. One user commented, “Roads are not dangerous; it’s the reckless driving and disregard for safety that kill people.” Another urged drivers to “slow down and be patient — life is more important than speed.”
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on the same day, 18 schoolchildren were injured when their taxi overturned on the N3 near the Mariannhill Toll Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in that crash.
The Limpopo bus tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety laws and improved public transport oversight. Authorities are expected to review the licensing and inspection processes for cross-border buses to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As South Africa and Zimbabwe mourn together, both governments have pledged to support the victims’ families and ensure that justice is served for those whose negligence cost dozens of innocent lives.
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