Four people have lost their lives following a head-on collision on the N2 near Umtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The fatal crash happened in the early hours of Monday, prompting KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma to express his condolences and renew calls for safer driving during the winter season.
The collision involved an H100 bakkie and a Hyundai H1 minibus at the Bhoboza off-ramp in the Inkosi Umtubatuba Local Municipality. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
N2 Crash Near Umtubatuba Claims Four Lives
The N2 crash near Umtubatuba was reported to the MEC shortly after emergency teams had cleared the scene. Duma said he received the notification from the Road Traffic Inspectorate at about 2am.
“Around 2am this morning, I received a report from our dedicated Road Traffic Inspectorate team just after they had cleared the scene of a horrific accident involving an H100 bakkie and a Hyundai H1 minibus.
“Four victims, three females and a male, perished in this head-on collision, which occurred on the N2, Bhoboza off-ramp, in Inkosi Umtubatuba Local Municipality. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Duma said.
The MEC added that officials from his office and the Department of Transport had been assigned to assist the bereaved families during this difficult time.
KZN Road Crashes Continue To Raise Concern
The KZN road crashes have continued to claim lives throughout July, with Duma highlighting several recent fatal accidents across the province. He said the latest collision follows a series of deadly crashes that have devastated families.
“In times like these, we are always called upon to show compassion. In this regard, we have assigned teams from my office and the department to be closer to the bereaved families.
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“Critically, this accident, which occurred approximately between 23h00 and 23h30, follows the several horrific accidents that claimed innocent lives during weekends this month of July,” Duma said.
Among the incidents highlighted by the MEC was a crash on 18 July along the R612 near KwaDumisa, where five people died after a Volkswagen Polo lost control on a downhill bend, overturned and crashed into roadside barriers.
Earlier in the month, on 4 July, six people were killed in a head-on collision involving two Volkswagen Polo vehicles on the R34 Memel Road near Newcastle. Two of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The Siboniso Duma warning comes as authorities continue to encourage motorists to exercise caution, particularly when travelling at night during winter.
“We have raised our concerns about the fact that night-time winter travel significantly increases accident risks due to reduced visibility and severe driver fatigue,” Duma said.
“Although we have ensured RTI visibility and heightened road safety campaigns, economically active people who were breadwinners have had their lives destroyed.
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“Families have lost their loved ones, with children becoming orphans and partners becoming widows.”
Duma urged road users to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws and avoid unnecessary risks behind the wheel as the province continues its road safety efforts.
