Ten people were killed on R42 Road near Delmas during a side-swipe collision involving a minibus taxi and a bus truck on Monday morning around 01h00.
Eight of the deceased were occupants in the minibus taxi while two people were occupants in the bus truck. The deceased include the driver of the minibus taxi. The victims were declared dead the scene.
About 24 people sustained serious injuries, 18 of the injured were occupants in the bus truck, and six were in the minibus taxi. The injured were transported to the nearby hospitals.
Reports indicate that the minibus taxi was initially moving on the N12 Road from Johannesburg, and it went into R42. The driver was allegedly going back to N12 from R42 when the crash happened. The taxi was moving towards Emalahleni while the bus truck was headed to Bronkhorstpruit. The taxi was also pulling a trailer.
It is not known at this stage what caused the crash. The investigation is already underway.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie has expressed shock at this horrifying crash, saying motorists must be cautious at all times when on the road.
"It is sad to see so many people losing their lives on the road. We are appealing for greater caution on the part of drivers to avoid these tragedies," Macie says.
He is sending condolences to the affected families and wishes those who were injured a speedy recovery.
Ends.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.