At least five people were killed in Empangeni late on Monday afternoon when a minibus taxi transporting them collided head-on with a bus.

The accident occurred on the R102 between KwaDlangezwa and eMpangeni‚ according to the City of uMhlathuze’s traffic department.

All five died on the scene while one person was critically injured. Nine others sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital.

City of uMhlathuze spokesman Mdumiseni Ncalane said a minibus taxi‚ possibly from Pietermaritzburg‚ may have been trying to overtake a light vehicle but rammed it‚ causing the driver to lose control and collide with the oncoming bus.

“The driver of the minibus taxi was amongst those who passed on‚” said Ncalane.

Emergency Response and Fire‚ the City of uMhlathuze Traffic Police‚ SAPS‚ Road Traffic Inspectorate and provincial EMRS attended to the scene‚ said Ncalane.

City mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo sent his condolences to the victims’ families: “Road carnages is really a cancer that is difficult to cure. We send our heartfelt condolences to all those families who were expecting their loved ones to come back home after travelling from different destinations before meeting their untimely passing.

“What is worse for us as the city of uMhlathuze is that our minds are fresh from another gruesome accident that took four lives on N2 eNseleni Game Reserve‚ two weeks ago‚” said Mhlongo. – TMG Digital