Fatal multi-vehicle collision claims six lives in Polokwane

A horrific head-on collision involving four vehicles has left six people dead and six others injured on the D19 Matlala road, near the Seshego cross.

Limpopo transport authorities confirmed that the fatal crash, which occurred earlier on Tuesday, involved two minibus taxis, a light delivery vehicle (LDV), and a sedan.

Preliminary investigations suggest reckless driving led to the tragedy.

Traffic and Community Safety spokesperson Matome Taueatsoala said that officials believe one of the minibus taxis was overtaking on a prohibited section of the road.

"What we know is that the MEC of Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, will be visiting the scene to witness the aftermath of what happened here," Taueatsoala added.

David Sethole, the driver of the LDV involved in the pile-up, described a chaotic scene as drivers scrambled to avoid the oncoming taxi.

"One of the Quantums [minibus taxis] came approaching head-on," Sethole explained.

"Two cars in front managed to avoid it. It nearly hit another Quantum travelling toward Matlala with us; that driver managed to swerve, but it hit him in the middle of the vehicle, causing it to flip over."

Sethole further detailed the impact: "That is where the Quantum came straight for us. It hit another lady, and I hit her from the back [following the initial impact]."

Emergency services remain on-site, and the road has seen significant traffic disruptions as investigators clear the wreckage.