A devastating 24 hours on and around Mpumalanga’s road network has claimed 13 lives in three separate crashes.

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has urged motorists to slow down and obey the rules of the road following the tragedies.

Barberton taxi crash

One of the deadliest crashes involved a minibus taxi travelling from Mbombela to Barberton on the R40.

The taxi reportedly lost control and overturned near Hilltop on Friday, July 17. The death toll later rose to four after one of the critically injured passengers died in hospital.

Nine other passengers were injured.

4 killed on the R577

Hours later, another four people were killed after a Volkswagen reportedly lost control and overturned on the R577 between Roossenekal and Mashishing.

The driver and three passengers died at the scene, while another occupant was injured.

5 die in R555 crash

The remaining five fatalities occurred in a crash on the R555 (Stoffberg Road).

The collision involved a Volkswagen Polo, a combi and a truck. Five people died at the scene of the accident.

The cause of the crash is still unclear and is being investigated by officials.

Authorities appeal for caution

“We cannot allow road deaths to become so frequent when most of these incidents are avoidable. All that is required is responsible driver behaviour to end this mayhem and make our roads safer,” said Macie.

The provincial department has urged motorists to slow down, obey speed limits and avoid dangerous overtaking following the crashes.

“We all need to obey the rules,” said Macie.

Police and traffic authorities are investigating all three crashes.