Dullstroom T-Bone Crash Claims Six Lives, Sparks Fresh Calls for Safer Roads

A quiet Sunday afternoon near Dullstroom turned tragic when a GWM Tank SUV and a minibus taxi collided on the R540, killing six passengers and injuring eight others.

The crash, described as a t-bone collision, left emergency workers facing a grim scene. All six people who lost their lives were passengers in the taxi. The injured were rushed to Belfast Hospital, where several remain in serious condition.

A Familiar Tragedy for Mpumalanga Roads

The stretch of road between Belfast and Dullstroom is known for heavy traffic from both local commuters and tourists visiting the town’s trout farms and weekend lodges. Locals say accidents here are far too common, especially involving public transport vehicles that speed to meet tight schedules.

According to the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the cause of the crash is still under investigation. Early reports suggest the vehicles collided at high speed.

Transport Month Overshadowed by Loss

Ironically, the crash happened during October Transport Month, when authorities across South Africa run road safety campaigns.

MEC Jackie Macie said the tragedy highlights the disconnect between awareness efforts and driver behavior.

“We remain deeply concerned by the number of fatalities that could be avoided through more responsible driving,” Macie said.

He urged motorists to treat every trip as a shared responsibility, warning that small mistakes often have devastating consequences.

Public Frustration Mounts

On social media, residents expressed anger and exhaustion. “Every month, it’s another taxi crash and another set of condolences. Nothing changes,” one Facebook user wrote on a community group.

Others called for stricter monitoring of public transport operators, saying some vehicles are overloaded or poorly maintained.

Local drivers also pointed to fading road markings and narrow lanes along the R540, arguing that infrastructure contributes to the danger.

The Broader Picture

Mpumalanga has one of South Africa’s highest road fatality rates. The province’s mix of rural highways, mining transport routes, and tourist traffic makes enforcement difficult.

Government data shows that speeding, fatigue, and reckless overtaking are recurring causes in major crashes across the province.

A Call for Accountability

MEC Macie’s message was clear: responsible driving is not optional. “It is unfortunate that while we highlight safe transportation, lives continue to be lost,” he said.

For the families mourning in Dullstroom, those words ring hollow unless they lead to real change.