Polokwane – Sergeant David Mulanga Mabeba and retired Captain Obed Malindela Tshikhudo have been identified as two of the three persons who died in a head-on collision along the N1 road, near Ha Phasa in Limpopo.
The deadly crash occurred yesterday evening, Friday, 15 May 2026.
Police in Botlokwa, under the Capricorn District, confirmed the identities of 43-year-old Sergeant Mabeba from Sunnyside Police Station and 62-year-old Tshikhudo, who worked at Westenburg Police Station before he retired.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said three people lost their lives in the head-on collision.
A preliminary report shows that police received information about a serious motor vehicle accident on the N1 road at about 18h50, and they rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival, police found two severely damaged vehicles involved in a head-on collision,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
“The first vehicle, a white Hyundai i20, was allegedly travelling from south to north when it collided with a Toyota Corolla Sprinter travelling in the opposite direction.
“Police discovered Sergeant Mabeba, who was alone in the Hyundai i20, trapped inside the vehicle.”
He was certified dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
“Inside the Toyota Corolla Sprinter, rescuers found retired Captain Tshikhudo and a female passenger trapped inside the wreckage,” said the police spokesperson.
Emergency rescue teams used the jaws of life to extricate them from the wreckage.
“Both occupants were unfortunately certified dead at the scene,” lamented Colonel Ledwaba.
“The female passenger, aged 53, has not yet been formally identified by her family.
“However, police recovered an identity document believed to belong to the deceased from the vehicle.”
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
