Crash claims 9: department urges caution on the roads

NINE people, including two children, were killed in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi carrying 16 people and a sedan at Leporogong village near Burgersfort on the R37 road on Saturday afternoon.

Transport, safety and liaison spokesperson, Jimmy Machaka, said the minibus was allegedly overtaking another vehicle when it collided head-on with the sedan.

He said eight people died at the scene of the accident while a ninth person died on the way to the Lebowakgomo Hospital.

“Both the driver of the minibus and the sedan died on the scene. Two critically injured passengers are in the intensive care unit, four passengers sustained serious injuries and three passengers sustained minor injuries.

“The department is worried about fatalities on the province’s roads that are caused by human error.

“Our head of department, Road Accident Fund officers and other transport officers have visited the survivors and families of the deceased.

“MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana wishes them a speedy recovery and sends her message of condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said.

Machaka said this was the third accident of its kind on the province’s roads recently.

“Near the end of June 10 people died and 19 people were injured when a taxi and a van collided head-on near Elim.

“The taxi was travelling from Gauteng to the Mopani district when it collided with the van.”

“During the Easter holidays eight people died after a driver lost control of his vehicle and it caught fire on the Punda Maria road between Makhado and Thohoyandou. The passengers were burnt beyond recognition and were buried in Thohoyandou after DNA tests were conducted,” he said.

Health department spokesperson Macks Lesufi said 13 of the injured people were transferred to the Lebowakgomo Hospital and one person was airlifted to the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital.

“We will update the public on the progress of the admitted patients. We appeal to motorists to drive with caution and observe the set speed limits on our roads. Any loss of life is regrettable,” Lesufi said.

Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto said a case of culpable homicide was opened.