A provincial government official from the Eastern Cape died in a head-on collision on the N2 highway near Butterworth on Sunday afternoon. Six others were injured in the crash involving a government vehicle and a Toyota double-cab. Authorities are investigating charges of culpable homicide and reckless driving.
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport expressed profound sorrow following the fatal accident on the N2 between Butterworth and East London. The incident occurred at Nciba when a government vehicle traveling toward Butterworth collided head-on with an oncoming Toyota double-cab.
Emergency services responded promptly, and seven people were affected in total, with one—the provincial official—pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining six sustained injuries and received medical attention. Traffic authorities implemented a stop-and-go system to manage flow while crews cleared the wreckage.
The Kei Bridge SAPS has opened a culpable homicide investigation alongside charges of reckless and negligent driving. Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose conveyed the organization's condolences: "The department sends condolences to the official’s family and wishes the injured a speedy recovery."
This tragedy underscores ongoing road safety challenges on major routes like the N2, where head-on collisions remain a concern despite awareness campaigns such as #ArriveAlive. No further details on the victims' identities or the exact cause have been released pending the investigation.