By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Nine people have been killed in a head-on collision involving a minibus taxi and two bakkies on the R61 between Engcobo and Comfivaba in the Eastern Cape.
Provincial Transport Department Spokesperson Unathi Binqose says, “This is very devastating, very heart-breaking crash that claimed the lives of nine people. The scene remains very active as Emergency Management Service (EMS) are on the scene trying to save survivors.”
Motorists are urged to exercise heightened caution, especially at night, remain alert for pedestrians, adhere to speed limits, and obey all traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life on our roads,” Binqose said.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the collision involving two bakkies and a minibus taxi occurred on Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
“Paramedics arrived on scene to find chaos and carnage as they found that two bakkies and a taxi had collided leaving multiple fatalities and casualties. Immediately a triage was set up by EMS Eastern Cape,” he said.
Jamieson said some patients were rushed to nearby hospitals and clinics by private vehicles for urgent medical care.
He said ambulances and rescue services worked to free the entrapped casualties before transporting critically injured patients to nearby hospitals.
According to preliminary reports during this festive season, fatal crashes declined by 20.9% and fatalities by 20.8% during the period December 1 to 16, following intensified law enforcement, road safety education and public messaging.
While Gauteng managed to reduce crashes by 12%, it remains the highest contributor to the national death toll.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded 88 fatalities in 85 crashes.
The Eastern Cape reported 52 fatalities in 45 crashes, Mpumalanga 69 fatalities in 50 crashes, North West 34 deaths in 28 crashes, Limpopo 40 road deaths in 34 crashes and the Northern Cape 31 road deaths in 20 crashes.
The Free State was the best-performing province, recording a 67.2% decrease in fatalities.
The number of lives lost dropped from 638 to 505, meaning 113 lives were saved through law enforcement, awareness and education initiatives.