ADELAIDE — Fifteen people died and five others were seriously injured when a minibus taxi and bakkie collided head-on along the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma around midnight on Saturday.
The Toyota Quantum minibus taxi was traveling from Qonce (King William’s Town) to Cape Town when it collided with an Isuzu Double Cab bakkie heading from Adelaide towards KwaMaqoma.
Thirteen people, including both drivers, were declared dead at the scene. Six injured passengers were rushed to Provincial Hospital, where one later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to 15.
Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the cause of the accident is under investigation.
“This is by far the deadliest crash we’ve witnessed in the Eastern Cape in a long, long time,” Binqose said. “Not even in December or during the recent Easter holidays did we see one crash that has claimed so many lives.”
The victims included eight adult men, six adult women, and one young girl, according to authorities.
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances of the crash, which is complicated by the fact that both drivers died in the collision.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha expressed condolences to the affected families and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash
The deadly collision comes despite recent announcements by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy that the 2025 Easter weekend saw the lowest number of crashes and road deaths in the past three years nationwide.
While most provinces recorded decreases in road accidents, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga both experienced increases in crash statistics, according to the minister’s recent statement.
The R63 road remained partially closed for several hours as emergency services and investigators worked at the scene. Authorities urge motorists to exercise caution on provincial roads, particularly during nighttime travel.
This incident ranks among the worst road accidents in the Eastern Cape in recent years, with authorities pledging to intensify road safety campaigns across the province.
