Five people have lost their lives while 12 others sustained injuries after a minibus taxi they were travelling in overturned on a gravel road at Mgwenyane location in Libode, yesterday, September 5.
According to the spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Unathi Binqose, the vehicle, a fully loaded Toyota Quantum from Mthatha heading to Majola locations, was passing Mgwenyane location when the driver lost control, and it overturned.
“Four passengers, an adult male and a female, believed to be husband and wife, as well as two children, the youngest of whom was two months old, died on the scene. An elderly woman in her 70s later succumbed to her injuries and died on arrival at St Barnabas Hospital in Ntlaza,” said Binqose.
He added that three other passengers sustained severe injuries while nine others, including the driver, escaped with minor injuries.
Binqose said that it is believed that brake failure contributed to the crash as it is said to have reversed in hilly terrain.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Libode SAPS for further investigations.
