KwaZulu-Natal
1Min
South Africa
Nov 15, 2025
Five family members, including three young children, died in a horrific head on collision on the N2 near the Umzumbe River Bridge. Authorities have launched an investigation and warned motorists to expect increased enforcement as the festive season approaches.
A horrific accident has claimed the lives of five people believed to be from the same family along the N2, just before the Umzumbe River Bridge in KwaZulu-Natal. Three children between the ages of three and five, and two adults believed to be their mother and father, died on impact after a head-on collision involving a Suzuki light motor vehicle and a seven-seater minibus.
KwaZulu-Natal’s MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed in a 21:00 media statement that “we are in liaison with Road Traffic Inspectorate team following a horrific accident along the N2 before Umzumbe River Bridge.” He said that other victims, a 14-year-old boy and a woman, were rushed to a nearby hospital. From the minibus, two people sustained injuries.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate has been deployed, and traffic authorities are redirecting motorists away from the N2 to Hibberdene, while the site remains active and under investigation. The accident has been handed over to the South African Police Service for a full inquiry.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have assigned a team from my office to liaise with local community leaders including Sibonelo Cele who is currently at the scene of this accident,” said Duma.
He added that the investigation is ongoing, and a preliminary report from the Road Traffic Inspectorate is expected soon.
As South Africa approaches the festive season, road safety concerns mount. Preliminary official statistics for the 2024/2025 festive season show that 1 502 people died in 1 234 fatal crashes. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of fatalities among all provinces, with 304 deaths in 247 crashes.
According to the national road safety report, in 2024 there were 10 339 fatal crashes in South Africa, resulting in 12 172 deaths. Almost half of all fatalities were pedestrians. The economic cost of these crashes also rose: the estimated cost of road crashes increased from roughly R205 billion in 2023 to about R217.5 billion in 2024.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements says its teams will intensify road safety operations across the province as the festive season approaches.
Duma said officials from his department and the Road Traffic Inspectorate will continue to monitor high risk routes across the province. He said the accident highlights the need for stronger prevention and support measures on busy national roads.
The department has identified several areas that record high crash numbers every year. These include the N2 on the south and north coast as well as the N3 corridor between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The department said these roads experience increased traffic volumes from November as people travel to holiday destinations.
