A crash between a minibus and a truck on the R37 in the Capricorn district of Limpopo, has claimed seven lives.

This is according to provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene, who says the collision occurred on the R37, Podungwane, just before noon on Saturday.

“Seven women from the minibus were sadly confirmed dead. Two other people who sustained serious injuries were transported to a nearly health facility for medical attention,” she explains.

Chuene says reckless driving has been cited as a possible cause of the crash.

Provincial Transport MEC Florence Radzilani sent her condolences and pleaded with motorists to adhere to the laws of the road. “Obey the rules of the road so that everyone arrives alive at their respective destinations,” she urges.

In a separate incident on one of the province’s busiest routes, an overloaded taxi was impounded yesterday.

Chuene says 17 adult passengers and nine children were on board the taxi which was stopped on the N1 en route to Polokwane.

“We urge motorists not to overload [their vehicles with] goods and passengers, as these are major contributors to fatal accidents on our roads,” Radzilani concludes.