Polokwane – At least 12 people have died in a multiple vehicle collision involving two trucks and a minibus taxi along the R81, near Ga-Sekgopo, Mooketsi, in Limpopo.
The deadly collision in which a minibus taxi was crushed into a ball between the trucks, with one truck landing on top, occurred in the afternoon on Sunday, 28 September 2025.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Limpopo said the minibus taxi passengers were travelling from a church service in Solomondale to Magoro village outside Giyani.
SANTACO Limpopo added that it “mourns deeply” with the families of the people who lost their lives in the R81 collision.
The youngest deceased was a girl whose age was estimated to be seven.
SANTACO Limpopo extended its condolences and commits ongoing support to the families.
“We are cooperating with authorities and will review safety measures to prevent future tragedies,” the taxi council said.
“Our hearts are with the families and communities in this time of mourning.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have also expressed their messages of heartfelt condolences and support to the bereaved families.
Initial reports said 13 people had lost their lives in the collisions; however, the police have since confirmed that one male driver, 10 female passengers, and a child aged between seven and 10 perished in this crash.
Minister Creecy and Deputy Minister Hlengwa have reiterated their call to motorists for heightened vigilance on the roads and to be responsible for their own safety and the safety of other road users.
The cause of the crash is not known at this stage and will be the subject of an investigation.
Deputy Minister Hlengwa has directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to dispatch a team of crash reconstruction and investigations to determine the cause of the crash and provide a report in this regard.
