Limpopo Mourns as Premier Ramathuba Meets Families After Devastating R81 Crash Claims 12 Lives
Deep sorrow has gripped Limpopo following a horrific accident on the R81 road near Ga-Sekgopo that killed 12 people, including a young child, in a collision between a minibus taxi and two trucks. The tragedy, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, has added to the province’s grim road death toll, with Premier Phophi Ramathuba revealing on Monday that Pietersburg Provincial Hospital alone reported 15 fatalities over the weekend, encompassing this crash and others. As families gather to identify their loved ones, the Premier is set to meet them, offering support amid calls for urgent road safety measures. With religious gatherings boosting weekend traffic, the Department of Transport and Community Safety has warned drivers to stay alert, highlighting how such events can lead to higher risks on busy routes.
This incident is part of a worrying pattern, with the province recording 1,008 road deaths since the start of the year. Ramathuba stressed the dangers of key roads like the R81, N1, and N11, which continue to claim lives despite ongoing pleas for caution. As investigations unfold, communities are left reeling, and experts urge better enforcement to curb the carnage.
The R81 Tragedy: A Church Trip Turns Deadly
The crash unfolded on Sunday when a minibus taxi carrying congregants back to Giyani from a church service in Solomondale outside Polokwane was crushed between two heavy vehicles. All 12 occupants—the driver, 10 women passengers, and a child believed to be between seven and 10 years old—perished at the scene. Emergency teams arrived quickly but could only confirm the losses, with the truck drivers sustaining minor injuries and receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Witnesses described a chaotic aftermath, with the taxi mangled beyond recognition. The road closed for hours as rescuers cleared the site, diverting traffic via the R36 and R71 routes. Police have opened a culpable homicide case, probing factors like speeding or mechanical faults, but early reports suggest the taxi got trapped in a rear-end collision that pushed it into oncoming traffic.
This stretch of the R81 has long been a concern, with heavy trucks and high volumes often leading to severe accidents. The Department of Transport noted increased traffic from weekend religious events, urging extra care on such days.
Broader Weekend Losses: Hospitals Overwhelmed with Fatalities
The R81 crash is just one piece of a tragic weekend. Pietersburg Provincial Hospital handled 15 burials, including the 12 from this incident. Lebowakgomo Hospital’s pathology unit received 11 remains from multiple wrecks. Ramathuba broke down the numbers: “Mokopane, our N1, we pray for it every day, but still… we have lost eight. Bela Bela, which is again another N1, we have lost two. St. Rita’s, there by N11, we are now at two.”
These figures add to the province’s alarming total of 1,008 road fatalities since January. “The R81 is one of those roads that we don’t rest because of it. N1, I have already spoken. N11, these are the roads that are taking the lives of people,” Ramathuba added, her voice heavy with emotion. The spike ties to common issues like reckless overtaking, fatigue, and poor visibility on these highways.
Just days before, on Friday, a head-on collision on the R518 near Lephalale claimed five lives, with drivers and three women dying instantly and six others injured. These back-to-back losses have overwhelmed hospitals and left communities in shock.
Premier’s Support: Meeting Families and Launching Safety Drive
Ramathuba has stepped up to comfort the bereaved, planning to meet families at Pietersburg Provincial Hospital’s recreation hall on Monday afternoon. Joined by MECs for transport Violet Mathye and health Dieketseng Mashego, she’ll discuss aid like counselling and funeral support. “The news of this tragic accident is deeply touching, particularly when we consider the mothers and families affected by this loss,” she said. “The provincial government stands in solidarity with the families during this difficult time, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary support.”
To prevent more heartache, she’s launching a road safety campaign, stressing vigilance: “This tragic event serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness on our roads.” The South African National Taxi Council in Limpopo has pledged to boost safety measures, like driver training and vehicle checks, and help affected families.
Yearly Toll: A Province Plagued by Road Dangers
Limpopo’s roads have been deadly this year, with 1,008 lives lost—a jump from previous trends. Data from earlier months show crashes spiking during weekends and holidays, often from speeding or drunk driving. The N1, a major artery linking to Gauteng, sees the most fatalities, with prayers for safety becoming a daily ritual, as Ramathuba noted.
Nationally, South Africa records over 14,000 road deaths yearly, costing billions in medical care and lost work. In Limpopo, factors like long distances, heavy trucks, and poor upkeep worsen the risks. Experts call for more patrols, speed cameras, and awareness drives to cut the numbers.
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