Thirteen people, including drivers, died when a taxi collided head on with a truck this morning in Limpopo. The horrific accident which left no survivors took place on R521 Dendron Road, next to Enkelbosch farm, outside Polokwane. It's reported that the taxi was transporting people to work in Polokwane from Bochum around 5am.

LACK OF CLEAR VISIBILITY

Spokesperson for the Department of Transport in the province, Vongani Chauke, confirmed that eleven passengers of a minibus taxi and two drivers passed away on the scene. "According to reports, a truck collided head-on with an oncoming minibus taxi. Lack of clear visibility has been attributed as the possible cause of the accident, as it was reportedly misty, during the time of the accident," Chauke said. 

MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Florence Radzilani, also confirmed that the area was so misty that the driver could not see the road and ended up on the wrong lane, resulting in him colliding head on with the taxi.

CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES

Radzilana said she will engage with the bereaved families who had come to the scene. She also relayed messages of condolences on behalf of the provincial government. "Honestly this is devastating for the province to lose such a high number of people at one go, especially because most of the passengers were bread winners," Radzilana said. She also assured the families of the deceased that their priority is make sure that the families get the remains of their relatives. Radzilana has also called on all motorists to take extra precaution as they travel, especially during early hours of the morning. "If a motorist drives in such weather conditions where they can hardly see the road, we advise that they do not speed in such weather.