Limpopo is in mourning following a devastating bus accident on the R81 road in Sekgopo, Mopani District, which claimed the lives of four women and left dozens injured. The tragedy occurred late on Saturday evening, 9 August 2025, plunging the region into grief.
According to reports, the bus was transporting members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) from the Giyani area to Moria when the accident occurred. Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene confirmed the devastating news, expressing the department's profound sorrow.
"Preliminary reports indicate that the driver lost control of the bus, which subsequently overturned," Chuene stated. "Sadly, four women were declared deceased at the scene."
The accident left a trail of devastation, with eight passengers sustaining serious to moderate injuries. A further 45 individuals, including the bus driver, suffered minor injuries. Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, transporting all injured passengers to nearby medical facilities. Kgapane Hospital, Mankweng Hospital, and Van Velden Hospital are currently providing urgent medical care to those affected.
The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation. Authorities are working to determine the factors that led to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Department of Transport and Community Safety has extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased," said Chuene. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of immense grief. We also wish those injured a full and speedy recovery."
The department has also issued a strong appeal to all road users, particularly those operating public transport, to exercise extreme caution and prioritise safety. "On this sombre note, we urge all road users, particularly public transport operators, to exercise extreme caution, strictly obey the rules of the road, and prioritise the safety of all passengers," Chuene emphasised. "Let us work together to ensure that every journey ends with the safe arrival of all travellers."
Mme Susana Violet Mathye, the MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Transport and Community Safety, personally visited the injured passengers in hospital yesterday, offering support and assessing the situation firsthand. The MEC's itinerary included visits to:
- Mankweng Hospital at 11:00
- Van Velden Hospital at 13:00
- Kgapane Hospital at 15:00
Following the hospital visits, the MEC also visited the Sekgopo accident scene at 16:30.
This Limpopo crash follows a separate incident last week in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety. In that incident, at least twelve people were injured when a bus and a taxi collided on Sarnia Road, Rossburgh, in Durban.
ALS Paramedics Medical Services spokesperson Garrith Jamieson described the scene as "total carnage" upon their arrival. The events leading up to the KZN accident are still under investigation by police.
Anyone with information that might assist investigators is encouraged to cooperate with authorities as they work to establish exactly what happened on the R81 late on Saturday, 09 August 2025.
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