Eight people have died in two separate road crashes involving public transport vehicles in Mpumalanga, authorities confirmed on Sunday, underscoring ongoing concerns about road safety ahead of the festive season.
In the first incident, five passengers were killed when a bus overturned on the R33 between Mkhondo and Amsterdam. The Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, said the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
“Five passengers died at the scene, six more were seriously injured, and 20 sustained minor injuries,” he said. The bus was reportedly en route to Johannesburg at the time.
In a second collision elsewhere in the province, three more people lost their lives. Full details of the crash are still being gathered by authorities. Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, urged drivers to adjust their behaviour according to road conditions, particularly given recent wet weather.
The fatal crashes coincided with the official launch of the 365-day Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in Kroonstad, Free State. Speaking at the event, Creecy stressed that safer roads depend on the responsible choices of every driver, passenger, and pedestrian.
“This year’s campaign theme, ‘It Starts With Me,’ reflects the critical role individual behaviour plays in preventing accidents and saving lives,” Creecy said.
She highlighted that most crashes are preventable and linked to human decisions, noting that drivers and pedestrians make choices on the roads every day that can mean the difference between life and death.
The minister also urged heightened vigilance during the festive season, as millions of South Africans travel for holidays, family gatherings, and year-end celebrations. “When we make the right choices, we arrive alive,” she said.
Authorities continue to investigate both Mpumalanga crashes, while the Arrive Alive campaign aims to reinforce personal responsibility and reduce fatalities on the country’s roads ahead of the 2025/26 festive period.
