Central SA
Eight injured in head-on collision on the N8 near Botshabelo─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:30 Mon, 16 Mar 2026
Traffic is moving past the accident scene under a contra-flow system on the N8 near Botshabelo following a head-on collision involving two bakkies on Monday (16/3).
The accident included a police bakkie and a security company bakkie. A contraflow system is a traffic management setup in which one or more lanes are temporarily reversed to move in the opposite direction of normal traffic, typically for road repairs or after accidents.
Two occupants from the accident were transported to the Mediclinic Bloemfontein. The second bakkie was carrying six occupants, and they were taken to Botshabelo Hospital with moderate injuries.
Rescue teams
“Emergency services were activated at around 06:02 … for a head-on collision involving two bakkies,” said Free State Road Incident Management System spokesperson Sipho Towa.
“Rescue teams used the jaws of life to free occupants trapped in one of the vehicles. Traffic is currently driving past the scene on contra-flow.”
Free State police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli confirmed two police officers were involved in the accident and were taken to the hospital.
On Tuesday (10/3), 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 at around 07:25.
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.
Road safety in the Free State remains cause for concern. The province saw many fatal crashes in the run-up to last year’s holiday season, prompting officials to intensify enforcement efforts.
A total of 35,319 vehicles in the province were declared unroadworthy in December, according to data from the National Traffic Information System. Taxis, buses, and other business vehicles were among them.
Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula and Free State premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae have repeatedly advised drivers to follow traffic laws, be patient, and exercise caution on the roads.
In November last year, ten people were confirmed dead following a bus accident between Botshabelo and Bloemfontein on the N8. The accident involved a bus and a truck, leaving five commuters moderately injured, 19 with minor injuries, and six critically injured.
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