Five killed and 60 injured after devastating N6 crash in Eastern Cape

A deadly collision on the N6 in the Eastern Cape has left five people dead and dozens more injured, in yet another stark reminder of the dangers that continue to plague South Africa’s roads.

The crash happened late on Sunday night along the stretch of highway between KuGompo near East London and Stutterheim, a route frequently used by long-distance buses travelling across the province.

Authorities say the accident involved a VW Polo carrying five occupants and a bus transporting Zimbabwean nationals.

Head-on collision traps victims

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the bus was travelling toward Stutterheim when it collided head-on with the smaller vehicle.

The impact was catastrophic.

The VW Polo became lodged beneath the bus, leaving emergency crews with a difficult rescue operation.

Emergency responders used the “Jaws of Life” to retrieve the occupants of the car. All five people inside the vehicle were declared dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, the 60 passengers on the bus sustained injuries of varying severity and were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment.

While authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the collision, initial reports suggest the two vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when the crash occurred.

🚨💔🇿🇦 5 KILLED IN A SERIOUS COLLISION BETWEEN A POLO AND A BUS

Five (5) people lost their lives were in a an accident involving a VW Polo (with five occupants) and a bus carrying 60 passengers.

The fatal accident took place on the N6 highway between East London and… pic.twitter.com/LxHUO9UNaM

Inside Edge (@4Inside_Edge) March 9, 2026

Investigation underway

Transport officials say the exact circumstances surrounding the crash are still being investigated.

Police have opened cases of culpable homicide and reckless driving at the Stutterheim police station as part of the inquiry.

Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured passengers a swift recovery.

He also used the tragedy to urge motorists to follow road rules and exercise caution on the province’s highways.

A road with a worrying history

For many Eastern Cape residents, accidents along routes like the N6 and N2 are becoming an unsettlingly common headline.

Just last month, another serious collision claimed seven lives on the N2 near Bhisho/Bulembu Airport outside Qonce.

In that incident, a vehicle carrying several passengers collided with another car before crashing into a second bakkie. Seven people, including a minor, were killed at the scene, while two others were taken to Grey Hospital for treatment.

Police opened a culpable homicide case following that crash as well.

Public reaction and growing concern

News of the latest accident quickly spread on social media, with many South Africans expressing frustration over the persistent rate of road fatalities.

Some users called for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and stricter monitoring of long-distance buses, while others highlighted the dangerous driving behaviours that continue to cause tragedies on national roads.

Cross-border bus travel, particularly between South Africa and neighbouring Zimbabwe, is common, especially among migrant workers and families travelling between countries. The buses often carry dozens of passengers and travel long distances overnight, making safety a recurring concern.

For now, investigators will work to determine exactly what happened on the N6 that night.

But for five families, the outcome is already devastating, a reminder that a single moment on the road can change many lives forever.