Easter travel rush ends in tragedy

A GRIM shadow was cast over the country's roads. What should have been a festive period filled with faith, family, and tradition instead turned deadly for dozens.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

In the provinces of Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, authorities reported alarming spikes in both road fatalities and arrests related to driving under the influence.

In Mpumalanga alone, a devastating toll was recorded: 18 lives lost between Thursday and Saturday. Many of the victims perished in horrific collisions, with the Nkangala District being particularly hard hit.

Among the deadliest incidents was a brutal head-on crash along the N4 toll road, between Machadodorp and Belfast, where six people lost their lives.

Five were declared dead at the scene; a sixth died later in the hospital. The same route saw another deadly event when a minibus taxi overturned near Middelburg, killing two and injuring 13 others.