Santaco Mourns Multiple Lives Lost in Recent Road Tragedies and Reaffirms Commitments to Safer Roads-Phala

An accident in Pretoria photo supplied

By Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala
SANTACO National Spokesperson

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) is deeply saddened by the series of tragic road accidents this week that have claimed the lives of Twenty-two (22) people across the country.

On Sunday, 26 October 2025, seven people were killed in a collision between a minibus taxi and an SUV on the road between Dullstroom and Belfast in Mpumalanga.

The taxi was transporting passengers from Limpopo to Gauteng.

On Wednesday, 29 October 2025, another seven lives were lost in Bassonia, south of Johannesburg, after a minibus taxi collided with a bakkie.

Most recently, on Thursday, 30 October 2025, eight people were killed and several others injured in a crash on the N3 near Swinburne, involving a minibus taxi and a truck between Van Reenen’s Pass and Montrose.

SANTACO President Mr. Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe, together with the entire National leadership, have expressed deep concern and heartbreak over the rising number of fatalities and the devastating impact on families and communities.

“These incidents are a painful reminder that road safety is a collective responsibility, one that requires urgent action and renewed commitment from all of us within the transport sector.

We are committed to leading from the front in rebuilding trust and prioritizing safety.

Every life lost is one too many,” said President Tsebe.

SANTACO extends its heartfelt condolences to all bereaved families and wishes speedy recovery to those who have been injured.

SANTACO commits to intensify our Hlokomela road safety and driver conduct interventions, including:

•Strengthening compliance checks on roadworthiness and operating licenses

•Accelerating driver re-education and awareness programmes in all provinces; and

•Partnering with law enforcement authorities to ensure accountability and stricter adherence to traffic laws.

The Council further urges law enforcement to maintain strong visibility on major routes and to act decisively against reckless and negligent driving.