Polokwane – Five people travelling in an overloaded minibus taxi died in a crash on the N1-26/Lunds route in the Capricorn district.
Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye said the deadly crash occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 11 January 2026, at about 02:21.
The dead included three females and two males.
“We are saddened to confirm a fatal accident involving a Toyota Minibus,” the MEC said
“The quantum was carrying 27 passengers, which was far above the required number.
“A tyre burst is a possible cause of the accident, which could have led the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle overturning.”
MEC Mathye added: ”Our hearts go out to the families of the five passengers who lost their lives.”
The driver and 11 passengers who sustained minor injuries were taken to nearby hospitals.
“We wish the injured a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy,” MEC Mathye said.
In a related development, MEC Mathye raised the alarm over the number of overloaded vehicles, including buses, intercepted by traffic authorities.
“We are deeply concerned about the continued disregard of the law by cross-border buses operating in Limpopo,” said the MEC, adding that: “Overloading remains a leading contributor to road crashes, and we won’t tolerate it on our roads”.
The department impounded at least five passenger vehicles, including three buses and two minibus taxis, for violating road safety regulations.
The vehicles were intercepted on the N1 south outside Polokwane during routine road safety operations.
The buses, which were transporting passengers in excess of their permitted capacity, were travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng, South Africa.
A minibus taxi licensed to carry 14 passengers was found transporting over 20 people, including minors, who were forced to sit on cooler boxes and luggage, posing a serious risk to passenger safety.
A bus from Zimbabwe was intercepted at N1 North Pepperboom on 10 January 2026, carrying 90 passengers – 19 more than its certified capacity of 71 seated passengers.
The bus was overloaded, had no cross-border permit, and was operating without a valid operating license.
The bus has been discontinued and is currently detained at Polokwane Traffic Control Centre. Alternative transport is being arranged for the passengers to continue their journey.
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