The festive season marred by tragedy as Limpopo police confirm a seventh fatality following a Christmas Day crash. Picture Credit: IOL
By Aisha Zardad
Limpopo – Limpopo police have confirmed the recovery of a seventh body following a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on Christmas Day along the R518 near Mogalakwena Bridge, between Tinmyne and Masodi village in the Waterberg district.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the crash occurred at approximately 9:30am on December 25 when a white Suzuki mini-truck, travelling from Mokamole towards Mokopane, allegedly struck a bridge barrier before plunging into the river below.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where six people — four adult men and two adult women — were certified dead. Five adults and two children sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
The deceased were later transported by Forensic Pathology Services, while police divers initiated extended search operations along the river amid fears that additional occupants may have been swept away by the water.
“Following the incident, police divers continued with search operations along the river due to fears that additional occupants may have been swept away,” Ledwaba said.
On Friday, authorities confirmed that the body of a seventh male victim was discovered more than one kilometre downstream from the original crash site, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the accident to seven.
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash remain ongoing.
The tragic incident forms part of a series of deadly road accidents recorded in Limpopo during the festive period. In a separate collision on December 24, six people lost their lives in another accident on the R518 between Mokopane and Marken, also within the Mogalakwena municipality.
In that incident, five people were declared dead at the scene, with the death toll later rising to six after emergency teams recovered another body from a nearby river.
“The body was found in the river while the scene was being cleared. Apparently, the vehicle fell into the river after hitting the bridge and had to be extricated,” said Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala.
Preliminary reports indicated that a light delivery vehicle lost control on the Marken–Mosesetjane road, collided with a bridge and plunged into the river. Seven passengers were injured, two of them critically, and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye has since conveyed her condolences to the families affected by the crashes.
“Christmas is meant for joy and family gatherings. Unfortunately, lives have been lost,” Mathye said. “I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Authorities have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the province’s roads, particularly during peak travel periods, as investigations into both accidents continue.
