A total of 15 people tragically lost their lives during the Easter holiday period in the Eastern Cape, despite generally stable traffic on major routes.
The three major crashes occurred on March 31 (Good Friday) and Easter Sunday, taking place on shorter, less busy routes. Two crashes were on the R67 between KwaMaqoma and Komani, while the third — which claimed seven lives — occurred on the M17 linking townships in Gqeberha. All three were head-on collisions, often caused by reckless driving or driver fatigue.
Meanwhile, at least 300 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol
Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, paid tribute to the province’s rapid response teams, including traffic law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, road safety officials, and members of the South African Police Service, for their dedication and long hours during the peak travel period.
“Operating under a coordinated provincial traffic command, these teams demonstrated the value of an integrated security approach, where law enforcement agencies work collectively to improve compliance and save lives,”said MEC Nqatha.
MEC Nqatha said the department will analyze the data to identify areas for improvement and urged all road users to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and exercise caution.
No tags for this post.
