HECTORSPRUIT – Five people died and nine others sustained serious injuries when four vehicles collided on Wednesday evening.
The accident happened around 20:30 and the injured were admitted to Tonga hospital.
According to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), the driver of a sedan travelling from Malalane, was reportedly overtaking a truck on a barrier line before colliding head-on with a Toyota Quantum minibus.
The latter was travelling from Komatipoort towards Malalane.
A truck collided with a minibus towing a trailor. Three passengers in the sedan and another two in the minibus died.
One of the victims, believed to be the driver of the sedan, was trapped inside the burning vehicle.
Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.
DCSSL MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe said, “Although the department is doing everything possible through law enforcement, education and awareness on road safety, motorists still need to do their part by driving with care and due consideration for road rules and regulations. We all have to play our part by always prioritising our lives and those we are transporting as most of these accidents are caused by human errors.”
Shongwe also called on law-enforcement agencies not to show mercy to reckless or negligent drivers, and has appealed to members of the public to report bad driving to the authorities.
Spokesman for the Nkomazi municipality, Mr Cyril Repinga, said, “As a municipality we are saddened by any loss of life on our roads, and we call on drivers to be patient and vigilant on the N4, especially on the road leading towards Komatipoort.
“It gets very busy and trucks frequently make use of it, however, we urge drivers to be patient in order to reach their destinations safely.”
