By Mapaballo Borotho

- Twenty-six people have died in three separate road crashes in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo over the weekend.
- The deadliest incidents occurred in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune District, where two crashes claimed 20 lives.
- Police are investigating the causes, with speeding and reckless driving among the factors being examined.
At least 26 people have been killed in separate road crashes in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo over the weekend.
Six people died in a tragic crash in KwaZulu-Natal.
The accident occurred along the R612 towards Ixopo, south of the province, at around 21:10 on Saturday evening.
“We wish to send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I have assigned my office and a team from the Road Safety Directorate to locate the families of the victims,” said KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma.
Due to the severity of the incident, RTI has handed the matter over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Accident Unit for further investigation.
“Critically, in such accidents, a criminal case of culpable homicide is opened and managed by the on-scene investigating officer and a detective who will see the docket through to prosecution and finalisation.
The work to be undertaken will involve reconstructing the accident to determine the cause,” said Duma.
Meanwhile, two separate crashes in Limpopo claimed 20 lives in the Sekhukhune District.
The first crash occurred along the R555 between Stoffberg and Rossenkraal in the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality.
The collision involved a Volkswagen Polo, a combi and a truck, leaving five passengers dead at the scene. Authorities say reckless driving cannot be ruled out, although investigations are ongoing.
The second crash, involving a Volkswagen Polo and a Toyota Tazz, occurred on Road D4370 between Phokwane and Mamphogo in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality.
Preliminary investigations suggest that speeding may have contributed to the collision.
Four occupants of the Volkswagen Polo and five occupants of the Toyota Tazz died at the scene.
In the two Limpopo crashes, six other people sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Investigations into all three crashes are ongoing.
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