By Sumayya
At least 21 people were killed when two minibus taxis and an SUV collided on a highway in South Africa’s Western Cape province, a government road safety partnership said on Monday.
The crash happened between Leeu-Gamka and Prince Albert, about 380 kilometres (236 miles) northeast of Cape Town, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.
“According to the information 21 persons sustained fatal injuries,” the RTMC said in a brief statement.
Local media reported that the vehicles collided at around 2130 GMT on Sunday, forcing the closure of the highway.
Police told AFP they had opened a culpable homicide investigation following the crash and said “several other occupants” had been hospitalised.
South Africa has one of the continent’s most developed road networks but continues to struggle with a high rate of road deaths, largely blamed on speeding, reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and the failure to use seat belts.
In 2025, 11,485 people were killed in road crashes in South Africa, down more than five percent from a year earlier, according to RTMC data.
Most of the fatalities were pedestrians. No fewer than 21 individuals lost their lives when a pair of minibus vans and a utility wagon smashed on a freeway in South Africa’s Western Cape district, a state transit safety alliance announced on Monday.
The disaster occurred between Leeu-Gamka and Prince Albert, roughly 380 kilometres (236 miles) northeast of Cape Town, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) announced.
“Based on the intelligence 21 individuals suffered fatal trauma,” the RTMC announced in a concise communication.
Regional press detailed that the machines smashed at roughly 2130 GMT on Sunday, compelling the sealing of the freeway.
Authorities informed AFP they had launched a criminal negligence probe following the smash and announced “various alternate passengers” had been institutionalised.
South Africa possesses one of the region’s most advanced street systems but persists to contend with a heavy frequency of street fatalities, heavily attributed to speeding, careless operation, unsafe machines and the omission to employ safety belts.
In 2025, 11,485 individuals were destroyed in street smashes in South Africa, decreasing more than five percent from an annual cycle prior, according to RTMC figures.
Bulk of the losses were foot-travelers.
