Siphelele Nketo
RAPID response teams in the Eastern Cape were commended for their hard work during the 2026 Easter weekend which recorded three major crashes and claimed 15 lives from March 31 to April 6.
Two of the accidents occurred along the R67 between KwaMaqoma (Fort Beaufort) and Komani (Queenstown), while the third crash claimed seven lives along the M17, linking townships in Gqebera.
“All three incidents were head-on collisions, often indicative of dangerous human behaviour such as reckless overtaking or driver fatigue,” said Unathi Binqose, the Department of Transport spokesperson.
He further said that law enforcement operations have been intensified throughout the Easter period and as a result, over 300 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
“These interventions are believed to have prevented further loss of life by removing high-risk drivers from the roads,” he added.
The department explained that high-risk routes such as the N2 between Mthatha and Gqeberha through the Kei Cuttings, the R61 towards the Western Cape via Aberdeen and Fort Beaufort, and the N6 connecting inland provinces, did not experience the level of fatalities seen in previous years.
Department of Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha has paid a special salute to the province’s rapid response teams, including traffic law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, road safety officials and members of the police for their dedication and long hours during the peak Easter travel period.
Nqatha emphasised that the department will conduct a thorough analysis of the data to identify areas requiring improvement.
He urged all road users to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws and exercise caution at all times.
