Polokwane Woman Dies After Suffering Severe Burns In Horror Car Accident

A 21-year-old woman from Polokwane, Limpopo, has died after spending approximately two weeks in hospital fighting for her life following a serious vehicle collision that left her with extensive burn injuries.

Gabby Rosser died on Friday, 30 October 2026, after sustaining severe burns when the vehicle she was travelling in caught fire following a collision in Polokwane on 16 October.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Munnik Street and De Wet Drive. Rosser was reportedly on her way to work when the accident happened.

She was alone in her vehicle at the time and managed to escape from the burning wreckage. However, she suffered extensive burn injuries across her body.

She was admitted to the intensive care unit at Netcare Pholoso Hospital, where she received specialised medical treatment.

An earlier report indicated that she had suffered approximately 85% third-degree burns. Other reports placed the extent of her burns at around 90%, while the subsequent report announcing her death referred to burns affecting 70% of her body.

During the first days of her hospitalisation, Rosser underwent several operations as medical personnel worked to treat her injuries. Her treatment was expected to involve repeated procedures, wound cleaning, skin grafts, plastic surgery and rehabilitation.

Her family initially remained hopeful as she showed encouraging signs of improvement.

However, her condition later deteriorated after she developed a secondary infection.

Her stepmother, Jenny Osborn, previously explained that blood samples had been sent for testing to determine the most appropriate treatment for the infection.

Rosser was subsequently placed under sedation and remained on a ventilator. Her kidneys also began struggling under the effects of the infection and medication, resulting in her being placed on dialysis.

Despite the efforts of medical personnel, her condition continued to worsen.

Her father, Craig Rosser, announced that she had passed away at approximately 14:00 on 30 October.

The family had spent two weeks hoping that she would recover, but the extent of her injuries and complications proved too severe.

The tragedy also placed considerable financial pressure on the family, as Rosser did not have medical aid.

A fundraising campaign was established to help cover the costs of her intensive care treatment, operations and ongoing medical expenses. The campaign received substantial support from members of the Polokwane community and people elsewhere in the country.

Local businesses and residents also organised fundraising initiatives to assist the family during the difficult period.

Rosser’s death has left her family and loved ones mourning the loss of a young woman whose life was cut short following the devastating collision.

The circumstances surrounding the collision have also drawn attention to the dangers motorists face on the roads.

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OTHER NEWS

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Broederstroom couple survive hours of torture in farm attack; seven firearms stolen, no arrests yet

An elderly couple on a game farm in Broederstroom, near Hartbeespoort Dam in North West, were overpowered, stripped, beaten, burned with boiling water and subjected to prolonged threats during a violent home invasion on the evening of Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Les Brett, 67, and his wife Natasha, 68, were attacked at their property around 19:00–19:30 by three masked, armed men. According to accounts from the couple and close family friend Warren Geddes, the attackers entered through an unlocked wooden sliding door. They demanded money and the keys to a safe, claiming knowledge that one of the occupants operated a kiosk at a nearby resort.

The couple were restrained and separated for much of the ordeal, which lasted approximately three hours. Reports state the attackers beat them, poured boiling or hot water on them, stabbed or cut them, and forced an AK-47 rifle barrel into Les Brett’s mouth. When he initially refused to hand over the safe keys, the attackers used bolt cutters on Natasha Brett’s nipples and repeatedly threatened to rape her. The threats and assault stopped after the keys were surrendered.

The suspects then accessed the safe and fled with seven licensed firearms of different calibres (all registered in Les Brett’s name), ammunition, two cellphones, a laptop, cash and other personal items.

SRU High Risk Security received a call for assistance around 22:30 and arrived within minutes, along with emergency services. Drones were deployed to search the surrounding area, but no suspects were located at the time. The couple initially received on-scene medical attention. Les Brett later sought further treatment. Published photographs show extensive facial bruising and a severe black eye on Les Brett, consistent with the described assault. Natasha Brett sustained facial bruising, swelling and other injuries.

North West police, through Hartbeespoortdam SAPS, have opened a case of house robbery. Spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake confirmed the three unidentified suspects (described as African males wearing face masks) entered via the unlocked door, demanded money, gained access to the safe and stole the firearms and other items. Police described the male victim’s injuries as minor and said he sought medical attention after being threatened and having hot water poured on him. No arrests had been made as of the latest available statements on 3–5 November 2026.

Les Brett, known for his work in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching (including founding the Dung Beetle Bush School and sometimes referred to as the “Rhino Whisperer”), is a former Special Forces and police member. He has trained international personnel in bushcraft and tracking. In his own account, he described the attack as military-style and noted that the rifle in his mouth failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. He has stated that reports of his wife being raped are false; the threats were made but the rape did not occur.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams condemned the attack, describing it as concerning that criminals target people in their homes. He urged residents to strengthen security and report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Warrant Officer Gregory Kwadi of Hartbeespoortdam SAPS Detectives on 082 373 9636.

The incident forms part of a recent cluster of violent attacks on farms and smallholdings in North West. It follows the 28 October attack on Donovan Marx near Ventersdorp (in which suspects have been arrested and charged) and the earlier killing of Hannetjie van Zyl near Ottosdal. Police continue to investigate the Broederstroom case as a house robbery while security structures and community groups have highlighted the level of violence involved.