MBOMBELA – Two districts, Nkangala and Gert Sibande recorded the highest number of fatalities during the festive season.
This was revealed this morning by the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie during the Announcement of the 2024/2025 Festive Season Statistics at the Protea Hotel.
Statistics reveal that between 1 December 2025 and 11 January 2026, the province recorded 733 road crashes, which resulted in 172 fatalities, 129 fatal crashes, 379 serious injuries and 842 slight injuries. Macie expressed concern on the increasing numbers of fatalities, stating that although crashes are lesser, they are far more severe and deadly. Data shows that fatalities occurred mostly in the evenings, over weekends and on known routes such as the N4, N12, R40 and R33.
“The majority of those who lost their lives were drivers, passengers and pedestrians, with the highest number of fatalities recorded among the economically active age groups of 19 to 35 and 36 years and above.”
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He also gave a breakdown of incidents in Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts which he described as a “sobering and uneven picture.” Nkangala District recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 69 lives lost, marking an increase of 10 deaths compared to the 59 fatalities recorded during the 2024/2025 festive season period.
Gert Sibande District has also recorded a significant and unacceptable increase, with fatalities rising from 37 in the previous festive season to 56 in the period under review, an increase of 19 lives lost.
He called for intensified law-enforcement operations, stronger inter-departmental coordination, and heightened community awareness interventions.
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“These figures reinforce the urgency of strengthening traffic law enforcement, tackling drunken driving, speeding, reckless behaviour, as well ensuring that every road user understands that safety on our roads is a collective responsibility.”
“We also call on passengers to speak out against reckless driving. We call on pedestrians to use designated crossing points and remain vigilant. No meeting, celebration, deadline and destination is worth a human life,” he concluded.
