Mpumalanga crash claims six lives as MEC urges vigilance

Six lives were lost in a devastating head on collision near in Mpumalanga. Picture: Mpumalanga Transport Department. Six lives were lost in a devastating head‑on collision near Mpumalanga, prompting Community Safety MEC Jackie Macie to renew his call for motorists to remain vigilant.

The accident between two light delivery vehicles (LDVs) occurred on the R542 between Van Dyk’s Drift and Blinkpan, near Middelburg, on Friday morning. The deceased, who died at the scene, included both drivers and four passengers. Four other people sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals in Middelburg and Emalahleni for treatment.

Macie urged motorists to exercise caution and respect the rules of the road. “All road users must play their part to curb such loss of lives. Every road user must obey the rules of the road and remain alert at all times,” the MEC said.

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The cause of the crash is still unclear at this stage. An investigation is already underway. Macie has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport has noted with concern two serious road accidents that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving four people dead or presumed dead and several others injured. In the first incident, a light motor vehicle carrying five occupants veered off a farm road in Addo and plunged down an embankment into a body of water at approximately 2:30am. According to the two surviving occupants, both foreign nationals, they managed to escape from the vehicle before it became submerged.

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