Idutywa – The Eastern Cape has been rocked by yet another devastating road accident, this time a horrific head-on collision on the N2 outside Iduytwa that claimed the lives of eleven people. The accident, involving a minibus taxi and a Ford Ranger, occurred at approximately 8 pm on Saturday night, leaving emergency services personnel facing a scene of unimaginable devastation.
Provincial Traffic spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, confirmed the grim details. Three occupants of the Ford Ranger died at the scene, while eight passengers in the minibus taxi perished. This brings the total number of fatalities on Eastern Cape roads on Saturday alone to a staggering 21.
Earlier in the day, three people died when a minibus taxi overturned after a tyre burst on the R61 between Nxuba and Graaff-Reinet; five others lost their lives in a collision on the R409 between Ndabakazi and Ngqamakhwe; and a further two died in a single-vehicle accident on the N2 outside Mdantsane.
The sheer number of fatalities highlights a deeply concerning trend of road accidents in the province. Mr Binqose stated that the N2 has since been reopened, but an investigation into the cause of the latest tragedy is underway. He urged drivers to exercise caution: "There's a greater responsibility on drivers to be extra cautious and be patient with one another so we can avoid head-on collisions," he said.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed his profound sadness at the loss of life in the Graaff-Reinet accident: “I'm deeply saddened by the tragic passing of these passengers and as a province, we're gravely concerned about the rising number of deaths on our roads. I urge all motorists to be patient with one another and to drive cautiously, especially as traffic volume is expected to increase during this time of the year.” He offered his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also cautioned motorists to remain vigilant on the roads throughout the festive season.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) also expressed its deep sorrow, with president Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe stating: "We're deeply disturbed by the continued loss of life on our roads despite our intensified efforts to promote road safety. We urge all South Africans to prioritise safety above all else and to exercise extreme caution when travelling."
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson, Simon Zwane, echoed these concerns, highlighting the Graaff-Reinet accident as a significant setback to their road safety initiatives. He urged motorists to exercise caution and manage fatigue effectively: "We want to call on motorists to exercise caution on the roads and people to better manage fatigue because we know that exhaustion, both physical and mental exhaustion, affects a driver's judgement."
The high number of fatalities in both incidents underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures. The Graaff-Reinet accident, in particular, occurred against a backdrop of anticipated heavy traffic between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape over the long weekend, with over 500 minibus taxis expected to make daily trips between the two provinces. This tragic event, along with the Iduytwa collision, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of road travel, especially during peak periods.
Adding to the grim toll, a separate head-on collision on Sunday night on the R61 near Bizana claimed three more lives. A sedan with two male occupants collided head-on with a van carrying three occupants (two females and a male driver). The two men in the sedan and one female passenger from the van died at the scene. The other two occupants of the van were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
