DULLSTROOM, MPUMALANGA – A devastating collision between a minibus taxi and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) has claimed the lives of six people and left eight others seriously injured near Belfast in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. The tragic incident occurred on the R540 road on Sunday afternoon, 26 October, sending emergency services scrambling to the scene.
The six fatalities were all passengers travelling in the minibus taxi. At least eight people sustained serious injuries, including seven passengers from the taxi and the driver of the SUV. The driver of the minibus taxi sustained slight injuries. All the injured were transported to a nearby hospital in Belfast for urgent medical treatment.
Moeti Mmusi, Head of Communications at the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, provided details from the scene. He confirmed that the accident was a T-bone collision that occurred at around 14:00. All six victims, five men and one woman, were passengers in the taxi and died on the scene. Another eight people sustained serious injuries, including seven passengers and the SUV driver. The taxi driver sustained only minor injuries. All the injured were transported to Belfast Hospital for treatment.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Provincial Safety, Security, and Liaison Department. The department’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, stated that the investigation has already commenced to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly collision.
Mpumalanga MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has expressed deep concern over the growing number of road fatalities and has urged motorists to drive responsibly. He reiterated a call to motorists to use the road with greater caution and heightened alertness to prevent deadly crashes.
“We remain deeply concerned by the number of fatalities caused by road crashes that could be avoided with more responsible driving. Motorists should always be mindful that their mistakes while driving could be devastating, not only for them but for other road users,” Macie said.
Macie noted that the tragedy comes during October Transport Month, a period dedicated to promoting safer transportation of goods and passengers. He added that it is particularly tragic that this incident occurred during October Transport Month, a period dedicated to promoting safer transportation of goods and passengers
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The Dullstroom tragedy is the latest in a string of deadly accidents over the weekend:
On Friday night, a man was killed in a head-on collision with a truck just outside Middelburg on the Stoffberg Road.
On Saturday, three women and a child lost their lives in a crash on the N11 between Doornkop and the De Voetpadkloof turnoff. The MEC extended condolences to the affected families and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Authorities are urging all motorists to exercise extreme caution as investigations into the recent spate of fatal accidents continue.
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