The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has issued a public appeal for families, who may have had relatives travelling from Qonce to Cape Town over the weekend, to urgently come forward.

This is in a bid to assist with the identification process following a fatal road accident.

A minibus taxi and a bakkie were involved in a head-on collision along the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort), approximately 90 kilometers from Qonce. The accident happened around midnight on Saturday. According to department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, the vehicles were travelling in opposite directions at the time of the crash.

15 people, including both drivers, died.

“A total of 15 people have died and five others sustained injuries in a head-on collision involving a fully loaded minibus taxi and a bakkie,” said Binqose.

Thirteen occupants of the taxi and the driver of the bakkie were declared dead at the scene. Those injured were rushed to a local hospital, where the taxi driver and one other succumbed to their injuries.

An inquest docket has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

However, part of the investigation, specifically the identification of some victims is going slowing than anticipated.

“This is mainly because this minibus taxi was not from a taxi rank where a list of all the passengers and the contact details of their next of kin is usually kept,” said Binqose.

Binqose confirmed that the deceased has been taken to the Maqoma Government Mortuary. The department is now urging the public to assist.

“Authorities are working to expedite the identification process and provide support to affected families.  Families seeking to confirm whether their loved ones were involved are urged to contact: Captain Fete (SAPS Maqoma) on 082 090 2742,” Binqose advised.

The Eastern Cape government is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.

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