Weekend of carnage: Twelve killed in Eastern Cape road crashes
Investigations into all three crashes are underway, with culpable homicide dockets opened
This past weekend, twelve lives were tragically lost and many more injured in a series of devastating road accidents across the Eastern Cape province. On Saturday, 29 August, separate incidents claimed six lives in the OR Tambo District.
In the first accident, an Isuzu double cab carrying six occupants lost control on the N2 near Vidgesville outside Mthatha. The vehicle overturned and rolled multiple times, resulting in the deaths of two men. Four others were hospitalized at Mthatha Regional Hospital with injuries.
Hours later, a Ford Ranger bakkie transporting 15 passengers collided on the N2 at Marhambeni near Qumbu. Four passengers lost their lives at the scene, while the remaining 11 survivors sustained serious injuries and were taken to Malizo Ka Mpehle Hospital in Tsolo.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Makaya Komisa attributed the accidents to reckless driving and alcohol abuse. He expressed deep concern, stating that such incidents are a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of negligent driving. Komisa warned that the continued loss of lives due to irresponsible behavior behind the wheel is unacceptable and urged motorists to refrain from drinking and driving.
Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha strongly condemned intoxicated driving and called on motorists to adhere to traffic laws. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and expressed hope that the injured would recover swiftly.
Tragedy struck again just a day later in Kariega on Sunday, 30 August. A head-on collision between a Toyota Corolla and a VW Polo on the R334 claimed the lives of five people. The crash occurred around 5pm and resulted in no survivors. Both drivers and all passengers were declared dead at the scene.
Komisa described the Kariega crash as a "heartbreaking scene" where emergency services were limited to confirming fatalities. He emphasized the importance of motorists slowing down, respecting speed limits, and understanding that reckless decisions can be fatal.
Investigations into all three crashes are currently underway, with culpable homicide dockets filed at the respective police stations. Nqatha emphasized that the province cannot tolerate such tragedies and called for all drivers to take responsibility for road safety, emphasizing that it is a matter of life and death.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
