Four women lost their lives in a devastating head-on collision on the R23 between Volksrust and Perdekop on Friday night, 23 April 2026.

According to the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the crash involved a sedan and a truck. The four deceased were passengers in the sedan.

Four other occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. The truck driver suffered slight injuries. All the injured were transported to a nearby hospital in Standerton for medical treatment.

Authorities have confirmed that the cause of the collision is still under investigation, although reckless and negligent driving has not been ruled out.

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“We are again pleading with motorists to play their part by using the road responsibly. We should all contribute towards making the road safer by always obeying the rules of the road and driving with maximum concentration,” said Macie.

He added that road crashes come at a heavy cost, not only in terms of human lives but also economically, with billions of rand spent on compensation through the Road Accident Fund.

The R23 remains one of the province’s high-risk routes, particularly during holiday periods and long weekends, due to increased traffic volumes and a history of fatal accidents.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.