9 killed in separate Mpumalanga and Western Cape crashes

Twenty-nine people have been killed in two separate road crashes in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, prompting the Department of Transport to order investigations into the causes of the collisions.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed their condolences to the families of those who died.

The deadliest crash occurred at about 00:30 on Monday on the N1 between Leeu Gamka and Prince Albert in the Western Cape.

Two Toyota Quantum taxis and a Suzuki Brezza SUV were involved in the multiple-vehicle collision, which claimed 21 lives.

Eight people were killed in another crash on the N17 between Ermelo and Davel in Mpumalanga at about 01:00 on Sunday.

The crash involved two sedans that collided head-on.

Creecy and Hlengwa have directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), working with local authorities, to investigate both crashes. Preliminary reports are expected within 48 hours of the investigations starting.

They have also instructed the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to urgently provide assistance to the families of those killed and people injured in the crashes.

The crashes come after the department recently reported a 9% reduction in road fatalities and crashes.

Creecy said at a road safety colloquium on 2 September that annual crashes and fatalities had declined by more than 6% in 2025 compared with 2024.

She said the 2025-26 festive season campaign recorded a 5% reduction in both crashes and fatalities, while the 2026 Easter long weekend recorded the second-lowest number of crashes and fatalities over the past four Easter periods.

However, Creecy warned that the figures remained too high.

She urged motorists to travel during daylight where possible, obey speed limits, avoid drinking and driving, take breaks every two hours or 200km, and always wear seatbelts.