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17 January 2025
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17 killed in a multi-vehicle crash at Van Reenen’s Pass
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17 people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, 6 January 2025 at around 20h30. The incident involved a truck, a minibus and a light motor vehicle. Five children are among the deceased. Reports from the scene suggest a baby survived the accident with serious injuries.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya stated that the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, received a report update indicating that preliminary investigations revealed the taxi was travelling from Qumbu to Johannesburg.
The preliminary investigations into the horrific accident involving a truck and minibus at Van Reenen’s Pass that killed 17 people on Monday night have revealed that the minibus lost control and veered into the truck’s lane. Investigations also revealed that the truck driver, contacted his employers before disappearing from the horrific scene.
Heavy rainfall, speed, vehicle defect and possible driver recklessness on the minibus driver’s part are factors being taken into consideration as the cause of the accident.
In a detailed report released by the spokesperson for MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, it was also confirmed that 17 people were killed in the crash with only one survivor, a baby girl, currently being treated in hospital.
A technical team led by the Head of the Department of Transport Siboniso Mbhele, Road Traffic Inspectorate and South African National Road Agency met with the South African Police Service under the leadership of Major General Gonya, the Cluster Commander of Thukela District to begin investigations.
MEC Duma said he has since requested the HoD and the entire team to visit “the brave little girl” in hospital. “We are comforted by the fact that she is recovering and thank health professionals for ensuring the provision of quality healthcare. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” Duma said.
Based on initial findings, the investigation revealed seven men, three women, three boys and four girls were killed in the crash. The taxi had been travelling from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg.
Duma said there had been conflicting reports, which initiated the investigation, regarding the whereabouts of the truck driver. “We wish to report that according to our quick investigation, the truck driver is a foreign national identified as a 37-year-old from Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said through video footage gained by the investigating team that it was very clear that the minibus lost control and swerved toward the right oncoming traffic lane and collided with a truck head on. “The truck driver was driving from Johannesburg toward Durban direction whilst the minibus taxi was traveling from Durban toward Johannesburg. At the time of the collision, the truck was driving on the fast lane on the South bound while the taxi was in the fast lane Northbound,” Duma said.
The cause for the minibus losing control is unknown at this stage, however, heavy rainfall, speed, vehicle defect and possible driver are factors being taken into consideration.
Sources: The Witness, Arrive Alive, ENCA
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya stated that the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, received a report update indicating that preliminary investigations revealed the taxi was travelling from Qumbu to Johannesburg.
The preliminary investigations into the horrific accident involving a truck and minibus at Van Reenen’s Pass that killed 17 people on Monday night have revealed that the minibus lost control and veered into the truck’s lane. Investigations also revealed that the truck driver, contacted his employers before disappearing from the horrific scene.
Heavy rainfall, speed, vehicle defect and possible driver recklessness on the minibus driver’s part are factors being taken into consideration as the cause of the accident.
In a detailed report released by the spokesperson for MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, it was also confirmed that 17 people were killed in the crash with only one survivor, a baby girl, currently being treated in hospital.
A technical team led by the Head of the Department of Transport Siboniso Mbhele, Road Traffic Inspectorate and South African National Road Agency met with the South African Police Service under the leadership of Major General Gonya, the Cluster Commander of Thukela District to begin investigations.
MEC Duma said he has since requested the HoD and the entire team to visit “the brave little girl” in hospital. “We are comforted by the fact that she is recovering and thank health professionals for ensuring the provision of quality healthcare. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” Duma said.
Based on initial findings, the investigation revealed seven men, three women, three boys and four girls were killed in the crash. The taxi had been travelling from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg.
Duma said there had been conflicting reports, which initiated the investigation, regarding the whereabouts of the truck driver. “We wish to report that according to our quick investigation, the truck driver is a foreign national identified as a 37-year-old from Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said through video footage gained by the investigating team that it was very clear that the minibus lost control and swerved toward the right oncoming traffic lane and collided with a truck head on. “The truck driver was driving from Johannesburg toward Durban direction whilst the minibus taxi was traveling from Durban toward Johannesburg. At the time of the collision, the truck was driving on the fast lane on the South bound while the taxi was in the fast lane Northbound,” Duma said.
The cause for the minibus losing control is unknown at this stage, however, heavy rainfall, speed, vehicle defect and possible driver are factors being taken into consideration.
Sources: The Witness, Arrive Alive, ENCA