Several Zimbabweans are feared dead after a cross‑border bus veered off the N1 highway and plunged into a ditch on Wednesday morning near Makhado in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The crash occurred close to the site of a similar fatal incident last year, in which 43 people—including Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals—lost their lives. The stretch of road, winding through mountainous terrain with sharp curves, is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous sections of the N1.
Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mashu Mabata confirmed the incident, stating, “The department informs motorists of a bus accident involving a Zimbabwean bus on the N1 between Makhado and Musina, near Ingwe Motel. The road has now been temporarily reopened. The bus reportedly lost control and veered off the road, landing in a ditch along the N1 North near Ingwe Motel.” Emergency services, police, and traffic officers responded to the scene, managing traffic and providing assistance.
Motorists have been urged to slow down when approaching the area and to drive with caution. “Further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available,” Ms. Mabata added. The latest crash has renewed concerns about the safety of cross‑border public transport operators along the busy N1 corridor, particularly near Musina and Makhado, where fatal accidents have occurred repeatedly. Authorities are expected to review safety measures on this high‑risk section of the highway in the wake of the incident.
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