A head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a bakkie on the N2 at Sibangweni Village just outside Mthatha has claimed two lives, authorities have confirmed.
Both vehicles caught alight after the impact. Residents of the village and passing motorists rushed to pull people from the wreckages. Among the passengers in the minibus were school children.
A total of 19 people were injured, some critically.
An eyewitness who responded to the crash said some of the victims suffered burn wounds.
“We were able to retrieve all the passengers before the vehicles were set alight,” the eyewitness said. “Fortunately, the car that offered us a fire extinguisher, we were able to remove people.”
Emergency personnel including police, traffic officers, ambulances, and fire services from K.D. are on the scene.
“The scene is being managed,” the eyewitness added.