Cape Town - The death toll from Tuesday morning's crash between a minibus and truck outside Machadodorp in Mpumalanga has risen to 18, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said, while at the same time expressing concern at the spate of accidents involving trucks and public transport vehicles.
"The country has experienced two major collisions in the last 24 hours in which trucks and public transport vehicles have crashed into each other resulting in the death of 24 people and injuries to 69 others," the RTMC said on Tuesday afternoon.
"In the latest crash which happened this morning (Tuesday, July 4, 2017) 18 people were killed and 15 were seriously injured when a Mozambican registered articulated truck, and a minibus were involved in a collision on R541 between Machado and Badplaas in Mpumalanga province."
The minibus was reportedly transporting mine workers when the accident happened.
Six people were killed and 54 injured when a bus drove into a stationary truck in the Free State on Monday. The truck has reportedly broken down on the N8 between Botshabelo and Bloemfontein.
"The RTMC will be working with the SAPS and provincial authorities to investigate the causes of these accidents."
The Corporation also provided statistics of accidents involving trucks in 2016.
It said it probed 36 crashes involving trucks in which 143 people were killed.
"A total of 49 trucks were involved in the collisions which involved 35 light motor vehicles, 18 light delivery vehicles, 11 minibuses and one motorcycle," the RTMC said.
"Most of the crashes were multiple vehicle type crashes, head on collisions, head-to-rear crashes and side swipe type crashes."
The RTMC called on motorists to be vigilant, especially during this time of the year.
"The winter period in South African is characterised by poor visibility, veld fires and extended periods of darkness."