- Three men died when a minibus taxi overturned on the D799 road after the driver reportedly lost control.
- A mother and child were fatally struck on the N12 while crossing the highway.
- Authorities urge motorists to stick to familiar routes and obey traffic laws as intensive road safety operations continue.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has expressed his condolences to the families of people who have lost their lives in road incidents this festive season.
“The festive season should be a time for families and friends to celebrate, not to lose loved ones to avoidable crashes,” he said. Macie also stressed the importance of sticking to familiar routes and strictly obeying traffic laws.
The province has faced a tragic start to the festive season, with five people losing their lives in separate road accidents. Macie urged drivers to prioritise safety.
Early on 22 December 2025, a truck carrying timber collided with a minibus taxi at the Waterval Boven tunnel, causing the taxi to catch fire. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Minibus taxi rollover claims three lives
Three men died when a minibus taxi overturned on the D799 road between Kaapsehoop and Mbombela. Preliminary reports indicate the driver lost control while navigating a curve, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times.
“Emergency services arrived to find three male passengers deceased at the scene,” said the province’s spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Moeti Mmusi. He added that five other passengers were rushed to a hospital in Mbombela, with one in critical condition and four sustaining serious injuries.
“The taxi was reportedly travelling from Johannesburg to Mozambique. Investigators believe the driver may have diverted from the N4 toll road onto the D799 in a suspected attempt to evade law enforcement checkpoints,” Mmusi said.
In a separate tragedy near Delmas, a mother and her child were killed on the N12 after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the busy highway.
Authorities urge drivers to prioritise safety
Despite the tragedies, Macie commended traffic officers for their enforcement efforts during the holiday rush. So far, provincial operations have stopped 88 000 vehicles for inspection, processed 28 000 vehicles through weighbridges, issued 14 000 written notices for various traffic violations, and impounded 450 unroadworthy vehicles.
The department confirmed that intensive operations, including stop-and-checks and speed enforcement, will continue throughout the province to ensure road safety for all.
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