Six people have died and six others sustained serious injuries following a head-on collision involving a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi and a Scania articulated truck on the R61 near Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape.
The crash occurred on Saturday, 24 October 2026, approximately 30 kilometres outside Aberdeen towards Beaufort West.
The minibus taxi was travelling from Beaufort West towards Aberdeen when it collided head-on with the truck, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
Six female passengers travelling in the taxi died at the scene and were declared deceased by emergency services.
Six people sustained serious injuries and were transported to Graaff-Reinet Provincial Hospital for medical treatment. Among the injured was an occupant of a Kia Rio that was involved in a subsequent collision following the initial crash.
Other drivers and occupants involved in the subsequent collision reportedly escaped unharmed.
Fatigue is suspected to have been a contributing factor, although the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Aberdeen SAPS as investigations continue.
