By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@RTMC.
Seven people died and two suffered serious injuries after a minibus overturned on the N3 toll road between Villiers and Heidelberg in Mpumalanga.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 23 December.
The tragedy occurred when a Hyundai H-1 minibus overturned approximately 10km north of Villiers in the Grootvlei area, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane, says the cause of the crash remains unclear.
“The RTMC has sent a team of crash investigators to Dasville, where a taxi overturned. The exact cause of the accident is unknown, and the road has been temporarily closed to ensure uninterrupted investigation by the investigators on the scene.”
Mpumalanga Community Safety MEC Jackie Macie urged motorists to use the road with caution. He advised drivers to adjust their driving to match road conditions, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
“It’s deeply saddening to see such an abrupt end to people’s lives when they were meant to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones. All road users must prioritise their safety and that of others by being extremely cautious,” he said.
On Saturday 11 people were killed in an accident, involving minibus taxi and a bakkie, on the N2 outside Dutywa in the Eastern Cape.
The minibus taxi was carrying 10 passengers, eight of whom died on the scene.
The bakkie was reported to be carrying four passengers and three died on the scene while the other sustained serious injuries.