Eleven die on the N2 near Mtubatuba as taxi carrying Maskandi fans home catches fire

Eleven people died when a minibus taxi and a truck collided head-on on the N2 near Mtubatuba in the early hours of Sunday morning, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has confirmed.

The crash happened at about 4am in the Nkodibe area. The taxi caught fire after the collision, and nine of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition. A further nine people sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.

The taxi was reportedly carrying Maskandi music lovers home to Mtubatuba and Big Five Hlabisa after a festival hosted by artist Sgwebo in Melmoth, in uMthonjaneni. The truck was reportedly travelling towards the uMfolozi sugar mill.

Ntuli said the loss had taken a family member from each of 11 households. “This is a devastating tragedy that has robbed 11 families of their loved ones,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this extremely painful time. Losing so many lives in a single road crash is heartbreaking, particularly when people were simply returning home after attending a cultural and musical event.”

The Premier extended his condolences to the bereaved families, relatives and friends of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy and full recovery. He also thanked the emergency services and members of the public who responded at the scene.

His appeal to drivers turned on the hour the crash happened. Ntuli urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly in the early hours of the morning when fatigue can significantly affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.

“We continue to appeal to motorists not to take unnecessary risks on our roads,” he said. “Drivers must rest when they are tired and must never place the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.”

He called on law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant in enforcing road safety laws, including preventing motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol and ensuring that vehicles operating on the roads are roadworthy. Road safety, he said, remains a collective responsibility, and he asked public transport operators and drivers to put the safety of passengers ahead of all other considerations.

Ntuli singled out Mtubatuba Local Municipality Mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa, who was at the scene in the early hours of the morning assisting with the emergency response and coordinating efforts to secure assistance.

“On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, I thank Mayor Mthethwa and all emergency personnel, law enforcement officers and community members who have been working under extremely difficult circumstances to assist at the scene,” Ntuli said.

“At this very difficult moment, our priority is to support the affected families, assist the injured and ensure that the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are properly established.”

The Premier called for continued support to the affected families while authorities carry out the difficult process of identifying the deceased and providing assistance to their loved ones.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), Call for caution after Mtubatuba crash claims 11 lives