Eleven killed in N2 taxi and truck collision near Mtubatuba

Passengers returning from a Maskandi festival were among those killed when a minibus taxi collided with a truck and caught fire in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The collision happened at about 04:00 on Sunday, 27 September, on the N2 near Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Nkodibe area in some official accounts, near Nkwiliza Bridge in others, in the Inkosi Mtubatuba municipality.

A minibus taxi travelling north hit a truck travelling south. The taxi caught fire. Eleven occupants died. According to the office of Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, nine of them were burnt beyond recognition. Authorities were still working on Sunday and Monday to identify the dead and to support their families.

Passengers returning from a festival

The passengers had been returning from a Maskandi festival in Melmoth, in uMthonjaneni, hosted by artist Sgwebo. They were headed for homes in Mtubatuba and Big Five Hlabisa. Early reports had them coming from Empangeni; the premier’s office later placed the event in Melmoth. The truck, the same office said, was travelling toward the uMfolozi sugar mill.

The provincial transport department’s initial account said eight people had been taken to hospital. The premier’s office later reported nine serious injuries. Both accounts put the death toll at eleven.

Police investigate the collision

Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma offered condolences. His department said the Road Traffic Management Corporation would work with police on the cause. Both directions of the N2 were closed while emergency crews worked the wreckage. Mtubatuba Mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa was reported at the scene.

By Monday, police had opened a culpable-homicide docket. The investigation must establish the circumstances of the collision and whether any criminal negligence occurred. No confirmed cause had been announced in the reports.

Premier Ntuli offered condolences and urged motorists and public-transport operators to avoid unnecessary risks, rest when tired and maintain their vehicles. His road-safety appeal did not identify the cause of this crash.

Families await identification

Authorities said identification of the victims and support for bereaved families were continuing. The severity of the fire complicated that work. Names had not been released in the accounts available on Monday.