Six people died in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a truck on the N2 near eMaxesibeni in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 14 November 2026, according to Eastern Cape provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose.
The crash happened around 07:00 SAST as the Toyota Quantum taxi was travelling from Alice towards Bizana and collided with a truck driving from Kokstad towards Mzamba. Preliminary information indicates the taxi crossed into the path of the oncoming truck, leading to the fatal collision.
Binqose confirmed, “Preliminary information suggests that the Toyota Quantum crossed into the path of the oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision.” She added, “However, the exact circumstances surrounding the collision remain subject to police investigation.”
Besides the six fatalities, six people were injured in the crash. Three sustained serious injuries while three others were slightly hurt. Emergency services treated the survivors at the scene.
Multiple media outlets reported the deceased were believed to be university students travelling home to Bizana, though their identities have not been formally confirmed by authorities. This tragic detail remains unverified as police continue their investigation.
The crash is part of a troubling pattern of fatal accidents on the Eastern Cape’s N2 within a 24-hour span — the day before, seven people, including a five-year-old, died in another crash near Ndabakazi. Road safety concerns in the province are mounting, with fatigue and visibility cited as possible factors in these incidents.
Binqose described the incident plainly: “Sadly, we can confirm the death of these six young people following the crash that happened on the N2 near eMaxesibeni.” She noted that driver fatigue was suspected but has not been confirmed as a cause.
The collision underscores ongoing challenges on long-distance routes in the Eastern Cape, where harsh road conditions and driver exhaustion frequently contribute to deadly crashes. Authorities continue probing the exact causes and are expected to release more information soon.
CapeFlats News will follow up with police statements and updates as the investigation progresses.