A serious collision at the busy intersection near Bayside on Saturday morning, 24 January, left several people injured and once again raised concerns about road safety along the R27 — a stretch of road long associated with frequent and often fatal accidents.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Blaauwberg Road and the R27, a junction well known to residents and motorists for repeated collisions, particularly during peak traffic hours when congestion turns the area into what many describe as a daily nightmare.
Taxi and car involved
According to a spokesperson from Community Medics, the collision involved a minibus taxi and a light motor vehicle.
“This (Saturday) morning, 12 patients were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to moderate following a collision between a light motor vehicle and a minibus taxi at the intersection of Blaauwberg Road and R27 in Table View,” the spokesperson confirmed.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with ER24 EMS and Metro EMS Western District among those on scene, assisting with medical care and patient transport.
Congestion worsens risks during peak hours
With growing traffic volumes across Cape Town, the R27 has become increasingly congested, particularly during morning and afternoon peak periods. Motorists say the pressure of heavy traffic, combined with high speeds and poor driving behaviour, has made this stretch of road especially hazardous.
Residents and daily commuters report frequent near-misses, sudden lane changes and vehicles attempting to beat traffic lights — all contributing to a volatile driving environment.
Following the collision, several motorists raised concerns over what they describe as reckless driving by some minibus taxis operating along the route, particularly those transporting commuters between Dunoon and the Bayside area.
“This intersection has seen multiple accidents over the years, and people are worried it’s only a matter of time before something worse happens,” one motorist wrote on social media.
A long history of serious and fatal accidents
The crash is the latest in a long list of serious incidents along the R27.
In May last year, three people died in a multi-vehicle accident on the R27 between Melkbosstrand and Table Bay Mall.
City Traffic Services spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout confirmed that three vehicles were involved and that the scene was only cleared in the early hours of the following morning.
Just days later, first responders were back at the R27 and Marine Drive intersection near the Dolphin Beach Hotel when a MyCiTi bus carrying around 60 passengers collided with a light motor vehicle. While the crash was severe, only seven people sustained minor to moderate injuries.
In another tragic incident, a head-on collision between a car and a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tanker on the R27 outside Mamre resulted in the death of the car’s driver, Bessie Bester, a well-known Brackenfell businessman.
The tanker was carrying 10 000 litres of LPG, prompting authorities to establish a three-kilometre precautionary blast zone.
‘We all need to be better motorists’
Local councillor Sue van der Linde has previously stressed that the R27 is a provincial road, meaning the City of Cape Town cannot make structural changes to traffic flow or road design.
“Provincial says this road is considered safe,” she said. “Most motorists are the issue. We all need to be better motorists.”
However, she acknowledged concerns around lighting on parts of the road and repeated complaints about speeding and failure to signal.
Residents living near R27 raise alarm
Residents living alongside the R27 say the constant accidents, racing vehicles and emergency sirens have taken a toll.
Edward Lewis, who previously lived on the corner of Sandown Road connecting to the R27, said he eventually sold his home due to the ongoing danger.
“There were so many accidents, the racing at night and the sleepless nights,” Lewis said. “At one point, a motorcycle crashed straight into my boundary wall. That was the final straw for me.”
Motorists using the route daily echoed similar concerns. “You have to drive defensively every second on the R27 — one mistake from another driver and it’s over,” said Table View resident Danny Humphrey
“Peak hour is chaos. Cars, taxis, buses — everyone is rushing and no one is patient,” added commuter Leanne Jacobs.
“I avoid that Blaauwberg Road intersection whenever I can. It feels like an accident waiting to happen,” said Lerato Mokoena, who travels the route daily.
Investigation ongoing
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether charges will be laid, and the cause of Friday’s collision remains under investigation. The incident has once again sparked calls from residents and motorists for increased traffic enforcement, better driver behaviour and renewed focus on safety along the R27.
