Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, and Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have instructed the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to find a road engineering solution to the spike in road crashes on the same road curve just after Makhado, Limpopo, involving buses and trucks.

This comes after five people died and dozens of others were left injured in a bus crash on the same N1 road curve, northbound, between Makhado and Musina in the early hours of Thursday morning.

According to reports, the bus carrying 30 passengers was travelling from Gauteng to Zimbabwe, veered off the N1 and plunged into a ditch near Ingwe Lodge outside Makhado.

“It has been confirmed by emergency services that five lives were lost and those injured were taken to nearby hospitals,” said the Transport Department in a statement

According to the department, Creecy and Hlengwa have also directed the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to provide an update report on the directive issued last October to intensify roadworthy inspections of buses crossing the Beit Bridge border.

“Both the RTMC and SANRAL are expected to provide reports as a matter of priority.”

In a statement, Creecy and Hlengwa have extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones and a speedy recovery for those who were admitted to hospitals.

The RTMC is investigating the cause of the crash. The preliminary investigation report is expected in 48 hours once the RTMC begins its investigation.