By Anita Dangazele
At least 11 people lost their lives in separate crashes on the N2 road between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
In the first crash, seven people were killed and nine others injured after a truck collided with two minibus taxis between Mthatha and Mtentu.
Provincial Traffic spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, explained that the Toyota Quantum taxis were heading to Libode from East London, while the truck was going towards East London when they collided.
“It was very misty when the two vehicles collided. Seven people died on the scene, and others were seriously injured. The nine injured passengers were taken to Mthatha General Hospital,” said Komisa.
The truck driver, a foreign national, fled the scene but was later arrested.
Komisa said a case of culpable homicide was opened against the truck driver and one of the taxi drivers involved in the crash.
In a separate incident, a bus travelling from the Eastern Cape to Durban overturned on the N2 near Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, killing four people and injuring many others.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, said the bus was carrying more than 33 passengers.
“An unroadworthy bus travelling from the Eastern Cape to Durban with more than 33 passengers overturned on the N2. At this stage, four people have unfortunately died. We send our condolences to the families,” said Duma.
Duma also confirmed that the bus driver was arrested and taken to the Margate police station, where he was charged with culpable homicide.
The bus was impounded for further investigation by traffic authorities.
“The services of highly trained examiners and other experts will be enlisted to carry out an investigation. We will come hard on anyone found to have violated traffic regulations,” Duma added.
Pictured above: The Scene of the accident between Mthatha and Mtentu cuttings in the Eastern Cape.
Source: Supplied
