KwaZulu-Natal was struck by a wave of devastating road tragedies on Monday, leaving at least 16 people dead across multiple horrific accidents. The deadliest incident involved a family of eight travelling to a wedding, their lives tragically cut short when their minibus taxi overturned and plunged down an embankment near Mandaba in Nkandla.
The eight family members perished at the scene, leaving a community in mourning and highlighting the devastating consequences of road accidents. According to the Department of Transport, the taxi carrying the family simply overturned and rolled down the embankment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli expressed his profound sorrow, stating: “This heartbreaking incident is a painful reminder of the need for drivers to exercise caution and responsibility on the roads. These senseless road carnages rob families of their loved ones and leave communities in mourning.”
He urged road users to adhere to traffic rules, avoid reckless driving, and prioritise safety. The Premier, along with Sizophila Mkhize, chairperson of the portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture, visited the accident site to offer condolences to the bereaved.
In a statement, Ntuli added: "No amount of words will best capture our message of condolences to the family of the victims of this morning's road accident in Mandaba in Nkandla."
The provincial government has pledged to intensify road safety campaigns and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to reduce accidents. Ntuli specifically called on taxi associations to enhance their oversight, ensuring vehicle roadworthiness and driver competency. "Public safety must be a non-negotiable priority," he stressed.
A separate, equally tragic incident unfolded on Emondlo Road near Vryheid, where a head-on collision claimed the lives of five people. KZN Private Ambulance spokesperson Chantell Botha described the scene: "Upon arrival at the scene paramedics discovered two vehicles had been involved in a head-on collision, causing the vehicles to lose control and overturn multiple times. Tragically, five occupants succumbed to their injuries prior to the arrival of emergency services."
Three others sustained critical injuries and received on-scene treatment before being transported to hospital. Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a case of culpable homicide is under investigation following a head-on collision on the R34 between Mondlo and Vryheid on Sunday night. One of the deceased was a police constable, and his civilian passenger also died at the scene. The cause of this accident is also being investigated.
The Department of Transport confirmed that teams had been dispatched to support the bereaved families in Nkandla and Vryheid. A statement from the department expressed devastation at the "sudden spate of road accidents that have claimed innocent lives."
Yet another accident occurred on the R618 Hlabisa road, where a bus overturned before the Hluhluwe Game Reserve Gate, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. It's alleged that the bus driver lost control due to brake failure.
Premier Ntuli acknowledged that these accidents occurred despite a notable decrease in fatalities reported between 1 December 2024 and 27 December 2024 compared to the same period last year. He reiterated the urgent need for increased road safety awareness and responsible driving.
"We continue to urge motorists to be extra careful on the road," he concluded. The combined loss of life in these four separate incidents serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in road safety within KwaZulu-Natal.
