In South Africa, road safety remains a critical issue, with human behavior contributing significantly to fatal crashes. During the first quarter of 2025, from January to March, a total of 2,403 fatalities were recorded from road crashes, marking a decrease from 2,818 fatalities in the same period of 2024. Nationwide, fatal crashes decreased by 11.9%, from 2,327 in the fourth quarter of 2023/2024 to 2,050 in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025. Human factors accounted for 84% of these fatal crashes in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025, consistent with 84.1% in the previous year’s quarter.
Among human-related contributory factors, speeding too high for circumstances was responsible for 13.6% of incidents in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025. Overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic contributed 3.7%, while overtaking across a barrier line added 5.9%. Disregard for stop signs made up 1.5%, fatigue from drivers falling asleep 1.4%, and intoxicated drivers with liquor or drug usage 1.1%. Intoxicated pedestrians contributed 0.8%. These figures highlight how speeding and reckless maneuvers, sometimes combined with alcohol, exacerbate risks on the roads.
For the full year of 2025, South Africa saw 11,418 fatalities resulting from 9,674 crashes, representing the lowest figures in five years. Compared to 2021, this reflects a decrease from 12,581 fatalities and 10,633 crashes. Speed-related accidents account for 34% of road deaths in the country. The likelihood of death in a collision at 80 km/h is 20 times higher than at 32 km/h.
During the 2025/2026 festive season, 1,427 fatalities occurred from 1,172 crashes, showing a 5% reduction in both fatalities and crashes compared to the previous year. This period marked the lowest number of crashes in five years. However, in the 2024/2025 festive season, fatalities totaled 1,502 from 1,234 crashes, a 5.3% increase from the 2023/2024 season. Human behavior was responsible for 87% of these crashes, including speeding, drunken driving, and reckless overtaking.
Alcohol involvement continues to play a notable role in road incidents. In the 2025/2026 festive season, 173,695 drivers were tested for alcohol, resulting in 8,561 positive cases, a 144% increase from the previous year. The highest breath alcohol content recorded was in KwaZulu-Natal, where one motorist was 14 times above the legal limit. In the 2024/2025 festive season, 3,840 individuals were arrested for drunken driving. Regionally, in the Western Cape during the 2024/2025 festive period, 627 arrests were made for driving under the influence, up from 576 the previous year, with most offenders being males aged 18-35. Over 35,884 alcohol screenings were conducted in that province alone.
Speeding violations were also prominent. In the 2025/2026 festive season, 525 drivers were arrested for excessive speeding. The highest speed recorded was 222 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in the Northern Cape. In the 2024/2025 festive season, 414 drivers were arrested for high speeds, with some exceeding 200 km/h to over 240 km/h.
Broader data from Statistics South Africa indicates that road transport accident deaths rose from 6,556 in 2015 to 6,652 in 2016. Holiday periods typically see surges due to increased traffic, alcohol consumption, and fatigue. Across Africa, the estimated road traffic fatality rate is 19.6 per 100,000 population, with speeding and drink driving as major contributors. In South Africa, the annual road death toll averages around 14,000.
Enforcement efforts during the 2025/2026 festive season included 1,632 roadblocks where 1.8 million vehicles were stopped, leading to over 450,000 fines. In the Western Cape, 72,438 fines were issued for various violations, including speeding and reckless driving.
These statistics underscore the persistent challenges posed by speeding, reckless driving, and alcohol on South African roads.
Hijacking Syndicate Busted in KZN After High-Speed Pursuit
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – Authorities disrupted a vehicle hijacking and theft operation on February 19, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three individuals connected to several cases in the region.
The incident began around 10:00 AM when intelligence indicated suspects were active in the Chatsworth area, tied to prior thefts and hijackings in Chatsworth and nearby locations. A joint team, comprising Marshall Security’s Special Operations Team, Isipingo Trio Crimes unit, Fidelity Investigations and Specialised Operations, ET Rapid Response, and Tracker SA, positioned themselves along the M1 Higginson Highway.
Officers observed the suspects in a white VW Polo near a Chatsworth shopping center, where they were in the process of stealing a blue VW Polo. When approached, both vehicles sped away, initiating a chase from the Woodhurst off-ramp toward Havenside. The fleeing suspects drove erratically, striking several other vehicles and causing accidents. Their white VW Polo eventually veered out of control, crossed the median, and crashed into a civilian car on the highway.
The highway was promptly secured to manage the scene and protect bystanders. Three suspects were apprehended on site, while the blue VW Polo escaped. The civilian driver involved in the collision suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
A vehicle search uncovered two unlicensed firearms, including one with an erased serial number, a signal jammer, a police radio, various car-breaking tools, specialized vehicle equipment, multiple computer boxes from vehicles, and several ignitions for different cars.
The arrested individuals were held at Bayview South African Police Service station and later received medical attention under guard after requesting it. They are suspected in additional vehicle theft and attempted theft incidents in Wentworth, Mayville, Amanzimtoti, and Chatsworth. Investigations remain active.
Five Dead, Dozens Injured in Limpopo Bus Accident on N1 Highway
MAKHADO – A bus accident on the N1 highway in Limpopo province claimed five lives and left 32 others injured early on February 19, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 2:50 AM near Ingwe Lodge in the Vhembe District, outside Makhado, also known as Louis Trichardt.
The Marcopolo bus was traveling from Gauteng province toward Musina, with passengers intending to continue to Zimbabwe. Preliminary reports indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the roadway and plunge into a ditch or embankment.
Among the deceased were the male driver, one female passenger, and three male passengers. Of the injured, four sustained serious injuries, ten were critically hurt, and eighteen had minor injuries. All survivors were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The N1-29 road was closed in both directions following the crash, with emergency services, traffic officers, and investigators remaining on site to clear the area and conduct a full probe. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes due to expected delays.
This location is the same spot where a previous bus crash in October 2025 resulted in at least 42 fatalities, involving passengers traveling to Zimbabwe and Malawi. Survivors of the recent incident have called for an investigation into road safety at the site, citing similarities to the prior tragedy. Transport ministers have instructed the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to develop engineering solutions for the curve just after Makhado, where crashes have increased.
Limpopo’s MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, visited the scene and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. An official investigation into the exact cause, including potential factors like overloading, is ongoing.
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Modimolle Man Receives 25-Year Sentence for Series of Hijackings and Kidnappings
Modimolle, Limpopo – A 38-year-old man, Satiel Ramadikela Molobi, has been sentenced to an effective 25 years in prison by the Modimolle Regional Court after being convicted on charges related to violent crimes against women in the area.
Molobi was found guilty on two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, each carrying a 20-year sentence; two counts of kidnapping, resulting in a combined five-year term; and one count of theft from a motor vehicle, with a five-year sentence. The court ruled that these sentences would run concurrently, leading to the effective 25-year imprisonment without parole options.
Additionally, Molobi has been declared unfit to own or possess any firearm or ammunition under Section 103(4) of the Firearms Control Act.
The crimes occurred in February 2024, when Molobi targeted female drivers in Modimolle town. He positioned himself near residential gates, entering and concealing himself in vehicles while victims stepped out to open the gates. Once the women returned and began driving, he threatened them with a knife, compelling them to travel around the town as he stole cash, cellphones, and jewelry before escaping on foot.
The Modimolle Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit conducted the probe that led to Molobi’s arrest, following the sharing of details about the incidents and targeted investigative efforts.
Limpopo’s Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the lead investigator for their diligence in securing the conviction and protecting the community from further harm.
