Residents of Gugulethu in the Western Cape were left shaken on Sunday morning after a high-speed collision between a minibus taxi and a South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicle left several people injured and caused extensive damage to both vehicles.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 11 January 2026, along Klipfontein Road in the NY 108 area. According to eyewitnesses, a Toyota Quantum taxi was travelling at high speed and allegedly attempted to overtake multiple vehicles at once when it collided head-on with an oncoming SAPS bakkie.
The impact of the crash was severe, leaving the police vehicle badly wrecked and the taxi significantly damaged. Community members who rushed to the scene described the collision as violent, saying the sound of the crash echoed through the neighbourhood and startled nearby residents from their sleep.
One local resident, Philasande Cuthalele, said the scene was distressing and confirmed that all occupants involved sustained injuries. “It was a sad situation. The officers were seriously injured, as well as the taxi driver,” he said. Cuthalele added that one of the police officers appeared to have suffered a broken leg, highlighting the seriousness of the injuries.
Another resident said she was jolted awake by the loud bang caused by the crash. She explained that she had just arrived from the Eastern Cape late the previous night and was still asleep when the collision happened. “The sound was so loud it forced me out of bed,” she said, describing the moment as frightening and confusing.
Reports from the scene indicated that the taxi driver was the only occupant in the minibus at the time of the crash, while two SAPS officers were travelling in the police vehicle. Emergency medical services were quickly dispatched and worked to stabilise the injured before transporting them to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Their current conditions have not yet been officially disclosed.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Frederick van Wyk confirmed the incident and said a case of reckless and negligent driving has been opened for investigation. He explained that Gugulethu police responded to the scene at approximately 6:45am.
“According to reports, the accident occurred along Klipfontein Road in NY 108 when a Toyota Quantum taxi overtook two vehicles at high speed and collided with a SAPS vehicle travelling in the opposite direction,” said Van Wyk.
He further confirmed that both police officers sustained injuries in the crash. At this stage, no arrests have been made, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are still ongoing.
Police have appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the accident or have additional information to come forward. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
The incident has once again raised concerns among residents about speeding and reckless driving on busy roads in the area, with calls for stricter enforcement to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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