By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Transport has ordered an urgent investigation into a devastating collision that claimed the lives of six family members on the N2 highway.
The incident occurred on Friday night near Mtubatuba when a truck collided with an Opel Corsa.
KZN transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed that a Corsa collided with a truck. The circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation.
“We have no words to describe the pain that the Mnyango family is going through after the death of six family members,” said Duma.
Initially, one young girl survived the crash and was admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
However, she later succumbed to her injuries, bringing the death toll to six.
“We were hoping that the brave girl, who sustained serious injuries, was going to survive. Sadly, she has departed,” said Duma.
The tragedy comes amid heightened concern about road safety in KwaZulu-Natal after another crash in Isipingo claimed the lives of 11 people, including a school pupil, while seven others were seriously injured on Thursday.
The injured victims were taken to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Hospital and eThekwini Hospital.
After investigations into the Isipingo crash, Duma said the truck and minibus taxi drivers, as well as the vehicle owners, must face murder charges.
Authorities found the truck had worn-out tyres, the taxi driver’s professional driving permit had expired in 2023, and the taxi was overloaded with passengers.
Despite the recent tragedies, Duma noted that road crash statistics showed an overall improvement during the festive season. The province recorded 187 crashes and 207 fatalities, down from 203 crashes and 237 fatalities during the same period in 2024.