A passenger bus collided with a Siyaya minibus taxi used for scholar transport and a Renault Clio at the intersection of Raymond Mhlaba and Gruis Streets on Tuesday morning (10/3) at around 07:25, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt. Sinah Mpakane. They’ve opened a case of reckless and negligent driving, and investigations are underway.

Four passengers travelling on the bus and two occupants of the minibus taxi sustained minor injuries. No injuries were reported among those travelling in the car. Emergency services transported the injured to Busamed Bram Fischer Hospital for medical care.

Road safety in the Free State is cause for increasing concern. In the lead-up to last year’s festive season, the province experienced a series of deadly crashes, prompting authorities to intensify law enforcement operations and roadblocks.

Data from the National Traffic Information System indicated in the province 35,319 vehicles were deemed unroadworthy in December. These included taxis, buses, and other commercial vehicles

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and transport MEC Jabu Mbalula have repeatedly urged motorists to obey traffic regulations and remain patient and cautious on the roads.

Among the tragic incidents that captured public attention was a crash on the N3 highway near the border with KwaZulu-Natal, where eight passengers, including early childhood development employees, died instantly.

Another devastating accident occurred on the N8 highway between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo when a bus transporting workers collided with a truck near the RRR farming area. Ten people were declared dead at the scene, while another later died in the hospital, bringing the death toll to eleven.

Letsoha-Mathae and Mbalula visited survivors in Pelonomi Hospital later that evening, describing the scale of the tragedy as “overwhelming”.

Polelo Mahloane had been travelling to work in Bloemfontein. Speaking from his hospital bed, Mahloane recalled the terrifying moments leading up to the collision.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg