The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has issued an urgent appeal to motorists to exercise extreme caution on the province’s roads following persistent rainy weather and a fatal crash that claimed four lives on Sunday.

According to the Department, the collision occurred on the R38 between Hendrina and Carolina, where two sedans collided head-on. Three of the victims — two passengers and a driver — were travelling in one vehicle, while the fourth victim was the sole occupant of the second car. All four were declared dead at the scene. No additional injuries were reported, and police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The tragedy comes as the province continues to experience widespread rainfall, prompting renewed warnings about road safety. Motorists are urged to slow down, maintain a safe following distance, and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy — particularly with regard to windscreen wipers, lights, and brakes. Drivers are further advised to avoid flooded roads and overflowing river crossings, and to plan routes carefully.

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, has appealed for heightened vigilance, emphasising that wet weather conditions severely affect visibility and vehicle control.

“We are therefore calling for stricter adherence to the rules of the road to prevent devastating crashes. Motorists must adjust their speed and increase following distances in line with the prevailing conditions,” said MEC Macie.

The Department has also cautioned motorists to be particularly alert around roadworks on the N4, N11, N2 and R40, where rain can worsen