The death toll in the fatal head-on crash between a minibus taxi and a trucķ has risen to fifteen after four people who were serously injured succumbed to their injuries last night.
Eastern Cape Transport department said they will probe whether the national lockdown regulations relating to the ferrying of passengers were flouted after the death of the 15 people on Wednesday.
The regulations stipulate that minibus taxis can only carry 70% of passengers per trip from 5 am to 10 am and also from 4 pm until 8 pm.
The crash happened on the N2 between Mt Ayliff and Mt Frere. All the deceased were occupants in the taxi traveling to Mt Frere.
The truck driver and his passenger were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Eastern Cape Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose says the Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe is saddened by the deaths.
“The MEC has also expressed deep disappointment at the gross violation of the National Disaster Act as the taxi had 15 passengers, something that should not have happened. She has called on law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in investigating the case and ensuring the rules are upheld at all times,” says Binqose.
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