Tragic Eastern Cape accident on N9 claims 13 lives, injures many

A devastating crash on the N9 near Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, early Monday, has left 13 people dead. The accident involved a fully-loaded minibus taxi from the Western Cape and an SUV carrying six occupants.

Tragically, everyone in the SUV died at the scene. Emergency responders are still attending to the injured, according to Unathi Binqose, the provincial transport spokesperson.

In a separate incident on the R61 near Bizana, three more people lost their lives in another head-on collision. A sedan carrying two men collided with a van carrying three passengers. Both sedan occupants and a female passenger from the van died, while the remaining van occupants were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Department of Transport has vowed to enhance road safety during the 2024 festive season. Their plan includes education, stricter enforcement, and a focus on pedestrian safety. They have identified 20 high-risk routes, including:

• Limpopo: R71, R37, N1

• Mpumalanga: R573, N4

• Gauteng: R21

• North West: N12

• KwaZulu-Natal: N2 (Pongola, Umkomaas)

• Eastern Cape: R61, N2 (several sections)

• Western Cape: N2 Khayelitsha

Road users are urged to prioritize safety as these interventions aim to reduce accidents and save lives.