Cato Ridge – At least 10 occupants of a minibus taxi died in a crash along the MR385.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the deadly crash occurred on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, just before 8 pm.
The minibus taxi veered off the road and came to rest in the bushes alongside the road.
Rescue Workers from the eThekwini Fire Department and Metro Police Search and Rescue arrived on scene along with other responders.
The Jaws of Life and other Hydraulic equipment were used to cut passengers from the wreckage.
“I can confirm that 10 men have unfortunately been killed in the Horrific Taxi Crash on the MR385 Cato Ridge,” Jamieson said.
Several others were injured and were stabilised before they were taken to hopital.
Today, Thursday, 8 October 2026, KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC said the bodies had been removed from the crash scene.
He said family members of the deceased and other onlookers were left traumatised after they witnessed two mortuary vans removing the bodies.
“This morning, teams from my office and Road Safety will be in a state mortuary in Pietermaritzburg with the families of the 10 victims who died in a road accident that took place between Georgedale in Hammarsdale and Cato Ridge last night,” MEC Duma said.
“Families who have lost breadwinners are devastated, but the fact that their loved ones died while travelling to work, with certain allegations being made by witnesses, adds a profound layer to the tragedy.”
MEC Duma said the cause of the deadly crash was being probed.
“Our Road Traffic Inspectorate Team and Durban Metro Police are working with the South African Police Service and Road Traffic Management Corporation as part of an investigation,” MEC Duma said.
“Under normal circumstances, we always avoid finger-pointing, but it would be irresponsible not to investigate allegations that the private minibus taxi driver had consumed alcohol before the accident.”
MEC Duma said there were reports that the driver tried to avoid pedestrians, lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road and hit a tree.
MEC Duma also announced the following interventions: –
- Assigning a team of highly experienced officials to be with families in the mortuary and to visit them at home starting from today. Each family is facing unique circumstances, and therefore, our response is tailor-made to help each family go through this ordeal in a manner that shows empathy
- Consulting with families to ensure that the departed souls are provided with a dignified funeral. The department is obliged to intervene, especially when more than five people have died in a road accident;
- Co-ordinating with Road Accident Fund visits to individual families to explain a package of assistance provided by the Department of Transport under such circumstances that are beyond the family’s control;
- Determining, in consultation with families, days and locations for a memorial service for the victims.
- Determining, in consultation with families, the days and location of funerals of the departed souls.
“Finally, we wish five other victims who sustained serious injuries speedy recovery. They were taken to R.K Khan and Hibiscus hospitals respectively,” MEC Duma said.
