Michael Sakuneka

Michael Sakuneka

Seven people were killed and eight seriously injured in three separate road accidents in Limpopo at the weekend.

Provincial road and transport spokesperson Selby Makgotho said three people were killed while three others sustained serious injuries in a four-car pile-up at Lemondokop village near Modjadjiskloof on Sunday.

It occurred when a speeding ambulance collided with a bus - followed by two other vehicles plunging into the wreckage.

In another accident three people died and 12 others sustained injuries after a taxi they were in overturned on the Bela Bela-Settlers off-ramp on Sunday afternoon.

Police say the front tyre of the taxi apparently burst and the loaded taxi rolled several times, immediately killing three passengers.

Makgotho said the taxi was transporting 15 passengers from Tzaneen to Johannesburg.

The remaining passengers were taken to the Bela Bela Hospital and are in a serious condition.

Bela Bela police spokesperson Captain Johnny Thiyo said the police are now investigating cases of culpable homicide.

"Most of the accidents resulted from speeding, and we appeal to all drivers to adhere to the speed limit," said Thiyo.

In yet another accident near Bela Bela, a driver and two passengers were killed after the Mercedes-Benz they were driving in overturned after the driver lost control of the vehicle.