POLOKWANE – Eight people were killed in two separate head-on collisions on the N1 on Friday (September 16).

Two people, both aged 68, were killed in the first incident on the N1 south near the Mookgopong turn-off when the driver of a light motor vehicle (LMV) lost control and collided head-on with a heavy motor vehicle.

The spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Tidimalo Chuene said the two passengers were declared dead on the scene and that the driver of the LMV sustained injuries.

“Reckless driving was cited as a possible cause for the incident,” she said.

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Meanwhile, six people between the age of 20 and 40 were killed in the second incident near Waterkruil on Friday night.

“It is reported that the driver of a sedan lost control and collided head-on with a light duty vehicle. Two people who sustained injuries were transported to nearby health facilities for medical attention,” Chuene said.

She added that driver fatigue is suspected as possible cause of the incident.

Transport MEC Polly Boshielo said vigilance and driving with caution are not optional to motorists.

“We all need to take on the responsibility of driving safely at all times to arrive alive at our destination(s),” she said.