Six people, including two men and four women, died when a truck carrying about 30 passengers overturned on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in the Eastern Cape. The vehicle was travelling from Mswakazi in Port St Johns to a traditional ceremony when the crash occurred.
Eastern Cape Provincial Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed that “several injured passengers were taken to Holy Cross Provincial Hospital in Flagstaff” following the accident. The precise cause of the crash remains under investigation. One report suggests the truck lost control on a gravel road, but this has not been officially confirmed.
The incident was reported near Flagstaff, though some details point to Mcetheni Location in Bizana. No official police confirmation has been issued regarding the exact crash site or cause, leaving these specifics uncertain at this stage.
This latest tragedy brings the Eastern Cape’s road death toll to 18 in just seven days. Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha said from the provincial transport department that “the latest tragedy brings to 18 the number of people killed in the past seven days.” Authorities have issued warnings to motorists to exercise caution due to a spike in fatal crashes throughout the province.
Road fatalities remain a critical issue in the Eastern Cape, with poor road conditions and overloaded vehicles often cited as contributing factors. The provincial transport department’s warnings underscore ongoing concerns for road safety as the province faces a troubling rise in accidents.
As of now, no victims have been publicly identified, and further details regarding the injured have not been disclosed. The cause of the crash is still being formally investigated by local authorities.
The Cape Flats News journalist will continue monitoring for updates from SAPS or the Eastern Cape transport department on the investigation and the status of the injured passengers.