Horrific Tragedy On SA–Zimbabwe Border
Horrific accident injures over 35 passengers on the N1. (Baraka Show via X)
By Mathipa Phishego
A devastating bus crash on the N1 highway near Makhado has claimed the lives of more than 40 passengers from South Africa boarded by Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals, sending shockwaves across the region and reigniting concerns over road safety on one of Africa’s busiest transit corridors.
The long-distance coach, reportedly en route to Harare, veered off the road and plunged down an embankment just 90 kilometers from the Beitbridge border post. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but early reports suggest the driver may have lost control while navigating a bend at high speed.
Emergency services worked tirelessly through the night, pulling survivors from the mangled wreckage. A ten-month child died on the scene, victims were transported to nearby hospitals in Louis Trichardt and Polokwane, many in critical condition. However, it is reported that more than 40 people lost their lives.
A visibly shaken paramedic at the site said that this is one of the worst scenes I’ve witnessed in my career. “Bodies were strewn across the hillside. Some passengers were flung out of the windows on impact,” he said.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the perilous state of cross-border travel in Southern Africa. Poor road conditions, reckless driving, and lax enforcement of transport regulations continue to plague the region, with deadly consequences.
In a chilling twist, authorities discovered a stash of unregistered medication scattered near the crash site. This comes just days after several Zimbabwean nationals were arrested for allegedly smuggling pharmaceuticals across the border from South Africa. Investigators are now probing whether the bus was being used to transport contraband alongside passengers.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, visited the crash site on Monday, expressed deep sorrow and called for urgent reforms. “This tragedy is a painful reminder of the work we still need to do to make our roads safer. We cannot allow lives to be lost so senselessly. We will be reviewing cross-border transport protocols and enforcement mechanisms to prevent such disasters from happening again,” said Creecy.
As families mourn and survivors begin the long road to recovery Questions are mounting over who will be held accountable and whether anything will change before the next tragedy strikes.
