Bloemfontein – Police are investigating several cases of culpable homicide in the Free State after a minibus taxi crashed into the back of a truck killing 10 people at the weekend.
One person was seriously injured in the deadly collision along the N1 between Koppies and Kroonstad on Sunday morning, (8 December 2024).
The rear-end collision involved a white Toyota Quantum minibus taxi and a Scania truck tractor.
The collision occurred about 20km from Koppies on the N1, heading towards Kroonstad.
In addition to the police culpable homicide probe, the Department of Transport has instructed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to investigate the cause of the crash.
On Sunday, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed “their deep sadness following a tragic road crash that has claimed the lives of 10 people, leaving one person seriously injured”.
The minister and her deputy have extended their condolences to the bereaved families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy and full recovery for the injured person.
The Department of Transport lamented that the deadly crash happened on the back of the recent launch of the Road Safety Campaign for the festive season.
The department emphasised the importance of motorists heeding road safety rules and for law enforcement officers to be out in their numbers, especially at identified collision hotspots.
“Long-distance drivers are urged to take a break after every 200 km or after every two hours of driving,” the department said in a statement released on Sunday.
“This is due to a proven fact that fatigue is a silent killer.
“The Minister and Deputy Minister have instructed the RTMC to investigate the cause of the crash and submit a preliminary report within 48 hours.”
