Six people, including three South African Police Service (SAPS) members, two awaiting-trial prisoners and a civilian, have been killed in a head-on collision on the R524 Levubu Road in Limpopo’s Vhembe District.
The fatal crash happened on Tuesday morning, 6 October 2026, approximately five kilometres outside Louis Trichardt.
The collision involved a SAPS vehicle from Tshilwavhusiku Police Station and a white Mahindra bakkie belonging to Tshisimani Water.
According to police, the SAPS vehicle was transporting three awaiting-trial prisoners to a correctional facility in Thohoyandou when it was involved in the head-on collision with the civilian vehicle.
Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and initially certified five people dead.
A third SAPS member, who sustained serious injuries in the collision, was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The officer later succumbed to her injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to six.
The deceased comprise three SAPS members — one male and two females — two male awaiting-trial prisoners and the male driver of the Mahindra bakkie.
Another awaiting-trial prisoner survived the collision but sustained serious injuries. The prisoner was transported to hospital under police guard for further medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Police have opened a case of culpable homicide at Makhado Police Station as investigators work to establish exactly what led to the fatal head-on crash.
Relevant SAPS units and senior management attended the scene following the collision.
The identities of the deceased are known to authorities but have not been released publicly. Police are withholding the names pending the completion of the necessary procedures and notification of the victims’ next of kin.
The crash resulted in a significant emergency response on the R524, with authorities dealing with multiple fatalities and injuries at the scene.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers expressed his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the three SAPS members and the other victims who lost their lives.
Scheepers also wished the injured victim a speedy recovery.
The investigation into the collision remains ongoing, and further information may be released as authorities establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
OTHER NEWS
Feroz Khan’s Associate Preggy Padayachee Shot Dead in Ekurhuleni
Preggy Padayachee, the uncle-in-law and alleged associate of former Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, has been shot dead on the R21 in Ekurhuleni.
The shooting happened on Monday evening, 5 October 2026, on the R21 in the direction of OR Tambo International Airport, near Griffiths Road.
Gauteng police have opened murder and attempted-murder investigations following the incident. At this stage, no arrests have been reported and the motive for the shooting has not been officially established.
According to preliminary information provided by police, Padayachee had been travelling in a Fiat when the vehicle reportedly experienced a breakdown on the highway.
He then contacted a friend for assistance. The friend arrived at the scene with two other people, and the group began attending to the vehicle.
While they were dealing with the breakdown, shots were fired at the group.
The driver attempted to escape the gunfire but lost control of the vehicle. The Fiat subsequently collided with a jersey barrier.
Padayachee sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. One of the passengers was struck by gunfire and was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
A third person who was present during the incident managed to escape unharmed.
Police have not confirmed who opened fire or what prompted the attack.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, with detectives working to establish exactly what happened before, during and after the gunfire.
Reports have described the incident as a possible targeted attack, but police have not confirmed a motive or officially established that Padayachee was specifically targeted.
Padayachee’s death comes as Khan is expected to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, 6 October. Khan’s testimony is scheduled to take place behind closed doors.
Khan’s appearance before the commission had previously been delayed after he was shot outside his Houghton residence in June. Police subsequently launched an investigation into that shooting.
Padayachee had previously spoken publicly following the attack on Khan.
Police have not indicated whether the latest shooting is connected in any way to Khan, his previous shooting, his pending testimony before the Madlanga Commission or any other matter involving him.
Investigators are expected to establish the motive and identify those responsible for the attack.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Driver Killed After Car Travelling Wrong Way Crashes Into Truck on N3 in Pinetown
A man was killed and a truck driver critically injured after a light motor vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the N3 collided with a car carrier near Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, late on Monday night.
The crash happened shortly after 23:30 on the Pietermaritzburg-bound carriageway of the N3, shortly before the Richmond Road off-ramp.
According to information surrounding the crash, the light motor vehicle was travelling on the wrong side of the highway when it collided with the car carrier.
The force of the collision caused the car carrier to lose control before it crashed into a bridge.
The driver of the light motor vehicle, a man believed to be in his 40s, sustained critical injuries in the collision. Paramedics assessed him at the scene but he was pronounced dead.
The impact also left the truck driver severely trapped inside the cabin of the car carrier.
Emergency crews were called to the scene, with the eThekwini Fire Department responding to assist with the rescue operation.
Firefighters worked for approximately two hours to free the trapped truck driver from the wreckage. During the rescue operation, Advanced Life Support paramedics remained with the driver and worked to stabilise his condition while he was still trapped inside the truck.
The truck driver was eventually freed from the wreckage and carefully removed from the damaged vehicle.
He was then placed into an ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical treatment. He was reported to have sustained critical injuries.
The collision resulted in significant damage to the car carrier after it crashed into the bridge following the initial impact.
Police were also at the scene and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision is under way.
The exact reason why the light motor vehicle was travelling on the wrong side of the N3 has not been confirmed.
Authorities have not indicated whether factors such as mechanical failure, driver impairment, fatigue or another circumstance contributed to the vehicle travelling in the incorrect direction.
The investigation is expected to establish what led to the vehicle being on the wrong side of the highway and the events immediately preceding the fatal collision.
The crash highlights the severe consequences of vehicles travelling against the direction of traffic on major highways, particularly where vehicles are travelling at high speeds and heavy trucks are involved.
The incident caused a major emergency response as paramedics and firefighters worked at the scene to treat the injured and free the trapped truck driver.
Further details may emerge as police continue their investigation into the fatal N3 collision.
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