By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Five people have died in a horrific crash on the N1 North between the Buccleuch Interchange and Allandale Road in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) confirmed that the accident involved a single minibus taxi that overturned on the N1 North freeway.
“A single-vehicle accident involving an overturned minibus taxi has occurred on the N1 North between the Buccleuch Interchange and Allandale Road in Midrand,” said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla.
Fihla added that the accident has resulted in multiple injuries and, tragically, five confirmed fatalities and a case of culpable homicide was opened.
“A case of culpable homicide will be opened for further investigation into the cause of the accident,” he added.
This accident comes shortly after another on Sunday, where six people lost their lives when the car they were in plunged into the Zonkizizwe River in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Authorities are now placing their hopes on the new traffic law to reduce accidents on our roads.
The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA) has stated that the recently gazetted Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (AARTO) is aimed at tackling South Africa’s persistently high road fatality rate.
“Its main key intention is to really assist, to ensure that you reduce the number of fatalities that occur on our roads,” said RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi.
”And above all, AARTO provides road users with some rights and options they can take advantage of, in terms of resolving their traffic infringements. By doing so, that is going to increase their compliance with traffic laws,” Mkalipi. added.
As outlined in the Government Gazette published on August 1, most sections of the Act will be implemented in major municipalities on December 1, 2025, with the remaining municipalities following on April 1, 2026.