By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Five people lost their lives in a tragic minibus taxi crash on the N2 highway between Cintsa and Brakfontein, just outside East London, on Tuesday morning.
Eastern Cape Transport department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, says adverse weather resulted in the fatal accident.
Binqose says that, according to the driver, who survived the accident, he had to swerve off the road to avoid a fallen tree.
The deceased, all adults, include two men and three women.
Bhinqose added that the driver and a female passenger were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
A case of culpable homicide is under investigation.
The Eastern Cape Transport Department has urged all road users to exercise extra caution during the current weather conditions.
This is not the first accident; the N10 was reopened on Tuesday morning after being closed for hours due to a head-on collision involving two trucks.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has advised of widespread flooding of roads and settlements.
“There is danger to life due to fast-flowing streams or deep water. Widespread transport routes and travel services are to be severely affected. Widespread prolonged disruption to essential services like water, electricity, communities, and schools,” the weather service said.
The Saws said a cut-off low system is expected to persist over the interior of the country, resulting in heavy showers and thunderstorms over the eastern half of the Eastern Cape, with possible flooding over the OR Tambo District Municipality.