Minister Chikunga sends condolences to families of the bereaved in the Eastern Cape crash

We have learned with a deep sense of shock and sadness at the tragic crash that claimed the lives of 15 people on the N10 at Middelburg in the Eastern Cape on Sunday night, 2 June 2023. A minibus taxi with 15 occupants was travelling from Cradock entering Middelburg, when it collided with an articulated truck head-on. All the occupants of the taxi including the driver, nine females, four males and two children, succumbed to their fatal wounds and the truck driver was admitted to hospital.

We are deeply saddened that so many people lost their lives in this horrific crash and we send our heartfelt condolences to the families and the loved ones of those who perished and wish the person in hospital speedy recovery.

Road safety remains our collective responsibility and every road user must play their part in ensuring that our roads are safe. Our commitment to making our roads safer has never been greater. We are seized with the implementation of measures to arrest the carnage on our roads. These include classifying traffic policing as a 24-hour, seven day job to maximise visibility, while tightening measures to change reckless behaviour by motorists.

We call upon all road users to be vigilant on the road at all times and motorists to observe the rules of the road and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation will investigate the crash and establish the root cause of this tragic incident.