Fifteen people, including eight family members travelling to a wedding, have died in three separate road accidents in KwaZulu-Natal over the past 24 hours.
In the first incident, a head-on collision on the R34 between Mondlo and Vryheid on Sunday night claimed five lives, including a police constable.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
“It is reported that the constable and his civilian passenger were driving from Mondlo to Vryheid when the collision happened. The constable and his passenger were declared dead at the scene,” said Netshiunda.
The driver and two passengers from the other vehicle also died at the scene, while two other passengers were taken to hospital with serious injuries. “The cause of the accident is part of police investigations,” Netshiunda added.
In the second crash, a minibus taxi overturned and rolled down an embankment near Mandaba Clinic in Nkandla early on Monday morning.
Eight people died at the scene, including members of a family traveling to a wedding, while other passengers were transported to hospital with injuries.
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Nkandla municipal manager Nomfundo Dlamini confirmed that municipal employee Colile Khanyile was among those killed in the crash.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and loved ones. We pray that they find strength and comfort,” she said.
In the third incident on the N2 southbound near Spaghetti Junction just before 6am on Monday.
A fully loaded minibus taxi carrying approximately 23 passengers lost control, collided with a barrier, and rolled multiple times, ejecting most of its occupants.
ALS paramedics, along with multiple ambulance services, treated 21 injured passengers at the scene, with injuries ranging from moderate to critical.
Two men, believed to be in their 30s and 40s, succumbed to major injuries on the scene.
The N2 is was gridlocked in both directions for a lengthy period as emergency personnel worked on the scene.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli expressed his condolences and called for stricter adherence to road safety rules.
“These heartbreaking incidents are painful reminders of the need for caution and responsibility on the roads. Senseless road carnages rob families of their loved ones and leave communities in mourning,” he said.
Authorities have vowed to intensify road safety campaigns and investigations to prevent further loss of life.
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