A horrific accident on the N3 near the Shongweni off-ramp has claimed the lives of five people, including two policemen. The crash occurred just after 5:00 PM on Friday, following a successful Multidisciplinary Roadblock conducted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI).
The accident involved a minibus taxi carrying 17 passengers, which was travelling to Ixopo. According to eyewitnesses, the taxi lost control while attempting to avoid a reckless Polo driver, veering off the road and rolling down an embankment about 50 meters.
“We can confirm that five people have tragically lost their lives in this accident, including two policemen,” said Siboniso Duma, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, in a statement. “Three passengers are in serious condition, and nine others sustained minor injuries. All injured individuals have been transported to R.K Khan Hospital for treatment.”
The RTI team, working alongside Durban Metro Police, Road Traffic Management Corporation, and the South African Police, will be reconstructing the accident as part of the investigation. The identities of the deceased are still being confirmed, and efforts are ongoing to locate and inform their families.
Read | 5 People Killed in Horrific Taxi Crash on N3 Near Shongweni
Duma expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and praised the efforts of emergency rescue personnel for their professionalism in handling the situation.
This tragic incident has raised further concerns about the dangers of reckless driving, especially during the winter months when road accidents typically increase. In response, the RTI team has been tasked with continuing their visibility campaign through the winter school holidays under the “No Nonsense, Zero Tolerance, and Alufakwa Campaign.”
The Road Traffic Management Corporation has also issued the following national road fatality figures over the past years:
- June 2021: 902 fatalities
- June 2022: 873 fatalities
- June 2023: 833 fatalities
- June 2024: 923 fatalities
Authorities urge all road users to remain vigilant, especially in challenging weather conditions, and to adhere to traffic laws to prevent such devastating incidents.
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