By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The department of transport in the Eastern Cape has confirmed that seven people have been killed in head-on crash on M17 between KwaZakhele and Motherwell in Gqeberha.
Transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose says the crash involved a seven-seater SUV with seven occupants and a manganese truck. All seven occupants from the SUV died at the scene while the driver of the truck survived and was treated for trauma.
He says the cause of the crash is being investigated.
“This one crash changes the whole picture on our road safety endeavours and we are not fixated about numbers because we know behind every statistic there is a human life and grieving families. But when so many people lose their lives in a single crash like this it really hits home and takes toll on all of us. It is for that reason we continue to urge motorists to be extra vigilant and extra cautious because life depends on that at times.”
In a separate incident, three people were killed in a horror accident in the early hours of Friday morning on the R67 between Seymour and Whittlesea.
Binqose, said the accident occurred at approximately 01:00, and involved an SUV, with three occupants, and sedan.
He said two people in the SUV died after it caught alight, while a 13-year-old boy managed to crawl out of the flaming wreckage and was rushed to a hospital.
Binqose said the driver of the sedan was alone in the vehicle and succumbed to his injuries on the scene.
“Law enforcement authorities have opened a case of culpable homicide, and investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway.”
Binqose said the Department continues to intensify road safety operations across the province as part of ongoing efforts to reduce road fatalities.
The Easter holidays are marked by an increase in traffic on major corridors as travellers embark on various religious and holiday destinations.
Studies show that over 80% of road crashes are the direct result of human behaviour.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has urged South Africans travelling during the Easter holidays to use the roads responsibly and show respect to all road users.
“We are calling on every driver, passenger, and pedestrian to take ownership of their conduct on our shared roads. I urge those who will be undertaking long-distance journeys to stagger their travel times to avoid peak congestion and to stop every two hours to combat fatigue. To the pedestrians, be visible, and do not cross major highways while under the influence,” the Minister said.
She was addressing the recent launch of the 2026 Arrive Alive Easter Road Safety Campaign under the theme: ‘It Begins With Me’, which is an appeal for personal accountability.