
Durban – In a heartbreaking incident, eight members of the same family perished while traveling to a wedding when their minibus taxi overturned and tumbled down an embankment in Mandaba, Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.
“Words cannot sufficiently convey our deep condolences to the families impacted by this morning’s road tragedy in Mandaba, Nkandla,” remarked KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma in a statement made on Monday, December 30, 2024.
“Eight family members sadly lost their lives after their taxi overturned and fell down the embankment.”
“It is incredibly tragic that these individuals were en route to join in a wedding celebration.”
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli and Hon Sizophila Mkhize, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, visited the accident site to provide support to the grieving family and the local community.
“We express our sincerest condolences to the families of the five victims involved in a head-on collision with an SA Police Service vehicle on Mondlo Road near Vryheid,” added MEC Duma.
“We have directed a team from the department to connect with the mourning families in both Nkandla and Vryheid.”
“Earlier today, two individuals lost their lives, and several others were injured in a taxi accident on the N2 Southbound at Spaghetti Junction.”
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In another unfortunate traffic accident, one person died and several others were injured when a bus overturned on the R618 Hlabisa Road near the Hluhluwe Game Reserve Gate while heading towards uMtubatuba.
It is reported that the bus driver lost control due to brake failure.
“Our devoted Road Traffic Inspectorate team is devastated by the recent surge of road accidents that have led to the loss of innocent lives,” noted MEC Duma.
“Regrettably, these accidents occurred following a significant drop in fatalities from December 1, 2024, to December 27, 2024, in comparison to the same period last year.”
“We continue to implore all motorists to exercise heightened caution while driving.”