By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) in Limpopo are investigating a case of culpable homicide following fatal head-on collusion involving a police vehicle and a civilian vehicle along the R524 Levubu Road in the Vhembe District.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the accident occurred on Tuesday morning, 06 October 2026.
He said emergency medical services attended the scene and certified five people dead, while the third SAPS member, who had sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, later succumbed to his injuries.
Mashaba said the deceased are three SAPS members — a male and two female officers — two awaiting-trial prisoners and the male driver of the Mahindra bakkie.
“One awaiting-trial prisoner sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital under police guard.”
“A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Makhado Police Station. The circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated,” Mashaba said.
He said while the identities of the deceased are known, they will not be released at this stage, pending notification of their next of kin.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety Nakedi Kekana has expressed her condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.
“On behalf of the Limpopo Government, I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, including colleagues in the South African Police Service, and also wish the injured a speedy recovery,” said Kekana.
She commended the emergency services that responded to the scene, including the SAPS, traffic officials, fire and rescue services, disaster management and emergency medical services.
The cause of the crash will be investigated.
“We once more urge drivers to always be cautious on the road by avoiding speeding, using roadworthy vehicles and avoiding reckless driving,” said Kekana.
Meanwhile Portfolio Committee on Transport heard on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, that amendments to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Act are being contemplated and will soon be tabled.
The Department of Transport’s acting Director-General Mokonyama Mathabatha told the committee that amendments are being considered to four aspects of the legislation, namely capped claims, rehabilitation, mediation and conciliation, and claims by foreign nationals. “All these issues are in the amendment Act that we are finalising. The Act in its current form makes the scheme not sustainable.”
Mathabatha was part of the departmental delegation briefing the committee on the department’s audit outcomes and annual performance plans. Also present in the meeting were the South African National Roads Agency Limited, the Road Accident Fund and Airports Company of South Africa, who also presented briefings on their performance plans.