By Staff Reporter
EMKHONDO — Five people have died in a tragic bus crash on the R33 between eMkhondo and Amsterdam on Monday afternoon, 01 December 2025.
According to authorities, the bus driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Six passengers sustained serious injuries, while 20 others suffered minor injuries. The driver is among those injured. Ambulance services transported all injured passengers to a hospital in Mkhondo.
While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that the wet and slippery road conditions may have contributed to the accident.
The bus initially departed Johannesburg with a passenger list of 65 people. Several passengers disembarked at different stops along the way, leaving only 31 occupants—including the driver—on board at the time of the crash. The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety clarified that earlier reports claiming over 80 passengers were aboard were incorrect.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, urged motorists to adjust their driving to the prevailing weather conditions.
“Every driver must prioritize their own safety and that of other road users. Let us save lives by being highly alert and obeying the rules of the road. Long-distance drivers must rest sufficiently along the way,” he said.
Macie extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
