A head-on collision on the M17 road between Motherwell and KwaZakhele in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, claimed the lives of seven people on Sunday afternoon, 5 April 2026, at approximately 3pm.
Dashcam footage recorded from the manganese truck shows a Renault seven-seater SUV, which was carrying seven occupants, suddenly drifting out of its lane and moving directly into the path of the oncoming truck. The vehicles collided head-on within seconds, with the truck driver having no time to take evasive action.
All seven occupants of the Renault were killed in the crash. The deceased consisted of three men and four women. No other fatalities or injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Eastern Cape Transport Department provincial spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed that the crash involved the seven-seater SUV with seven occupants and the manganese truck travelling in opposite directions. A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Swartkops SAPS. Authorities are using the dashcam footage as part of the ongoing investigation to determine what caused the Renault to leave its lane. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha extended condolences to the families of the deceased. Motorists using the M17 have been urged to remain cautious, stay within their lanes, and avoid any behaviour that could lead to loss of control on routes shared with heavy vehicles.
The incident occurred on a section of the M17 regularly used by both light vehicles and heavy trucks. No further details on road conditions, weather, or mechanical factors have been released at this stage.
Traffic Officer Shot During Roadside Stop on N7 Near Bulshoek Dam
A traffic officer was shot and injured on Thursday evening while conducting a routine vehicle stop on the N7 near Bulshoek Dam on the West Coast.
The officer, who is stationed at the Vredendal provincial traffic centre, was treated in hospital following the incident, which took place shortly before 19:00. Officials described the event as a targeted attack.
The officer had pulled over a vehicle after suspecting the driver was under the influence of alcohol. During the interaction, the situation escalated and the officer was shot. No fine had been issued at the time of the shooting.
The suspect fled the scene immediately afterwards and is still at large.
The injured officer used his cellphone to call for assistance. A colleague responded promptly, and emergency services reached the scene without delay.
Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku condemned the attack on the law enforcement officer.
“I am deeply shocked and angered by this attack on one of our dedicated officers. As we approach the busy Easter weekend, when officers are working long hours to keep travellers safe, it is unacceptable that they face such violence,” Sileku said.
He confirmed that the relevant authorities are working closely with the South African Police Service to apprehend the suspect and that support is being provided to the injured officer and his family.
Police have opened a manhunt for the suspect. Anyone with information about the incident or the vehicle involved is asked to contact the Klawer police station.
A 14-year-old boy was killed on Sunday after the vehicle he was driving overturned on the M25 in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.
Emergency services were dispatched following multiple calls from members of the public reporting a serious motor vehicle accident. Responders arrived at the scene at approximately 15:59 and located a blue Toyota Corolla Quest that had overturned multiple times.
The boy was driving the vehicle in the eastbound lane when he failed to negotiate a bend. The car veered onto the extreme right verge before rolling several times. It came to a stop on all four wheels in the opposite lane, facing the westbound direction.
The boy’s father was a passenger in the vehicle. It is alleged that the father was under the influence of alcohol, which led to the 14-year-old operating the car.
The boy was ejected from the vehicle. Paramedics assessed him at the scene and found that he had sustained fatal injuries. He was declared deceased on arrival.
The father was handed over to the police for further investigation.
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Man Rescued After Falling Into Ditch on Jabu Ngcobo Drive Near Mountview
An adult male was rescued on the afternoon of Saturday, 4 April 2026, after he fell into a deep ditch on Jabu Ngcobo Drive near Mountview in KwaZulu-Natal.
The man had parked his silver Ford Fiesta on the roadside and stopped to urinate when he slipped down a steep embankment. He landed in the ditch, which was located some distance from the roadway, and was unable to climb back up to his vehicle. Passers-by later heard calls for help coming from the ditch.
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were driving past the scene and noticed South African Police Service (SAPS) officials searching the nearby bushes. The RUSA team stopped to assist with the rescue operation.
Initial attempts to pull the man out using a rope were unsuccessful. The Ethekwini Fire Department was called to the scene and arrived with specialised rescue equipment. After several attempts, the rescue teams successfully extracted the man from the ditch.
The male sustained only minor bruising in the incident. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fall.
