Tragic Crash Involving Police Van and Truck on R101 in Limpopo Claims 9 Lives

Polokwane – The death toll from the incident involving a police van and an articulated truck on the R101 Road between Mokopane and Mookgopong in Limpopo has risen to nine.

The police van was transporting inmates at the time of the tragic event, which occurred on Thursday, 14 August 2025.

Initial reports indicated that five inmates and one police officer perished at the scene of the collision. Several others suffered injuries and were taken to the hospital.

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Providing an update on the injured, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba announced on Saturday, 16 August 2025, that the death toll from the incident had increased.

The initial count on the day of the incident was six inmates and one police officer.

“Two more inmates, who were receiving treatment after the crash, sadly passed away from their injuries on Friday, 15 August 2025, bringing the death total to nine—one police officer and eight inmates,” Brigadier Mashaba reported.

The remaining injured inmates are still under medical care.

“Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has once again expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a swift recovery for the injured inmates,” said the spokesperson.

The Provincial Commissioner also reiterated SAPS’s dedication to carrying out a thorough investigation to establish the exact cause of the tragic accident.