Another Tragedy for Mzansi Express: Bus Crash in Limpopo Claims Life, Injures Passengers

A cross-border bus travelling from Gauteng to Zimbabwe crashed in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Musina, raising fresh concerns about Mzansi Express’s safety record.

For the second time in under a year, a Mzansi Express cross-border bus has been involved in a deadly crash on South Africa’s N1 freeway in Limpopo. This time, the crash occurred just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, near the Baobab Truck Stop in Musina, claiming the life of the bus driver and injuring nine others.

What happened?

According to Tidimalo Chuene, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, a truck reportedly lost control and collided with both a light delivery vehicle and the Mzansi Express bus.

“Sadly, the driver of the bus, a male, was deceased at the scene,” said Chuene.
“Four passengers from the bus sustained moderate injuries, while four others, including one from the delivery vehicle, suffered minor injuries.”

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but reckless driving is suspected.

Mzansi Express: A Troubling Safety Record

This is not the first time Mzansi Express has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

In August 2024, 10 people died when one of the company’s buses, travelling from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg — crashed in Makhado, also on the N1. Authorities said at the time that the driver, unfamiliar with the route, drove over a roundabout at high speed, lost control, and overturned.

That crash killed five men and five women, all reportedly foreign nationals, and injured several others.

Road Safety in the Spotlight

The latest incident has reignited concerns about driver training, fatigue, and oversight within South Africa’s long-distance and cross-border bus industry.

Provincial transport officials have urged operators to ensure drivers are properly familiar with routes, and are calling for stricter monitoring of driver rest schedules.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” said Chuene.
“To the injured, we wish a speedy recovery. We continue to urge all motorists to exercise caution and obey road rules.”

A Call for Accountability

With two fatal Mzansi Express crashes in under 12 months, pressure is mounting on both company management and transport authorities to increase accountability and prevent further loss of life.

Road safety activists are calling for:

• Comprehensive audits of long-distance bus operators.

• Stricter enforcement of driving hours and rest periods.

• Mandatory route training for new drivers.

• A public record of operator safety histories.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com