Staff Reporter.
A police officer who was directing traffic is among the 17 people who died in two separate accidents in Kwazulu-Natal on Saturday.
The officer and 10 others were killed in a crash involving a minibus, police vehicle and other cars, on the R617 near Mpophomeni.
According to Midlands EMS, paramedics were met with a gruesome scene, stretching about 200m along the road, when they attended the crash at around 9.35pm.
“It is alleged that there was a motor vehicle accident on the corner when a taxi lost control hitting into the barrier causing a secondary accident with other vehicles and SAPS members.”.
KwaZulu-Natal acting MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Jomo Sibiya was expected to visit the scene on Sunday.
“Reports suggest that 11 people including a police officer perished on the scene. The deceased involved 10 occupants of a minibus taxi and one police officer who was directing the traffic.”
Meanwhile, six people were killed and four injured in multiple vehicle crash on the N11 near Dundee.
The exact cause of the accidents is under investigation.