Inside Metros Reporter
Eleven people, including a learner, lost their lives in a crash between a truck and a minibus taxi on the M35 in Lotus Park, Isiphingo, on Thursday morning.
Six others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment.
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KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the fatalities and said he was travelling from Pietermaritzburg to the accident scene.
“This is a horrific tragedy. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. A team from my office has been tasked with locating the families to ensure they receive the necessary support,” Duma said in a statement.
Witnesses at the scene alleged that the truck driver attempted a U-turn, leading to a head-on collision with the taxi.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash.
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Duma said he had directed the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to work alongside Durban Metro Police and SAPS in a full investigation.
The accident comes shortly after the province recorded an 18% reduction in road fatalities during the festive season – a milestone that officials had celebrated as progress in road safety.
“This tragedy reminds us that we must remain vigilant. We will update the people of KwaZulu-Natal as investigations continue,” Duma said.
INSIDE METROS
