N1 Taxi Crash Leaves 5 People Dead, Section of N1 Closed As Passengers Remain Trapped in Vehicle

• A minibus taxi overturned on the N1 North after the Buccleuch interchange, leaving several people dead
• The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) confirmed that the road will be closed
• Emergency services and law enforcement officials are on scene as passengers remain trapped in the vehicle

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – A minibus taxi accident on the N1 has resulted in the death of five passengers.

The cause of the accident, which happened on the N1 North between the Buccleuch Interchange and Allandale Road in Midrand, is yet to be determined, but authorities confirmed that the taxi was the only vehicle involved.

The taxi overturned, and some passengers are still trapped in the vehicle.

Read also

Gauteng MEC warns that unroadworthy vehicles will be impounded, Mzansi wants taxis targeted first

Accident forces road closure

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has advised motorists that the road will be closed to allow for proper processing of the scene and recovery operations.

Emergency services are currently on scene, and motorists are advised to use alternate routes until the scene is cleared.

“Emergency services and law enforcement officials are currently on the scene. The accident has resulted in multiple injuries and tragically, five confirmed fatalities,” the JMPD confirmed.

The route was later reopened after the scene was cleared and the injured passengers were taken to hospital.

How did South Africans react?

Social media users expressed concern that a taxi was once again involved in a fatal accident, with many commenting on the condition of the vehicle.

Dumasi Khalanga said:

" The owner of that Siyaya must be arrested with his driver. I am definitely sure that the taxi is not roadworthy. May the departed souls rest in peace."

Read also

KZN taxi associations to embark on two-day strike, South Africans concerned about the implications

Lovemore Chimatilo added:

"It's only in South Africa where Siyaya's are still operating."

Lebepa Rebel Moshobane stated:

"I blame the traffic cops. How did that scrapyard taxi get onto the freeway without being stopped?"

Lavita Smooth Talker Da said:

"That taxi is not even roadworthy. Arrest the driver with immediate effect."

Bra Stan asked:

"How is it possible that the scrap taxi was allowed on the road?"

Loveness Mncube Lavita noted:

"Eish, this is so bad. We pay every day, but they don't fix their taxis. If passengers choose other transport, you are banned from using that taxi again. Now lives are lost. May their souls rest in peace. Condolences to their families.

Michael Woudberg added:

"Look at the condition of that tyre🫣."

Tonny Rio stated:

"Unroadworthy taxis. And the government can do nothing because they are scared of taxi drivers."

KZN taxi crash leaves 19 injured

In a related article, 19 schoolchildren were injured when the minibus taxi they were travelling in crashed into a wall.

Read also

80-year-old Free State farmer arrested for murder, SA divided after decomposed body found on farm

Briefly News reported that paramedics had to take the children to hospitals in the Chatsworth area for further treatment.

South Africans weighed in on the latest accident and were not happy that a taxi was involved again.

N3 Multi-vehicle accident forces road closure, truck loses control and crashes into 20 vehicles

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a multi-vehicle accident on the N3 forced the closure of both the northbound and southbound lanes on Thursday, 4 September 2025. The crash, which happened on the stretch of road near Peace Valley in Pietermaritzburg mid-morning, left several people injured, but the exact number was not confirmed.

According to the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), the crash was caused by a truck that lost control on the national highway (N3). This truck then ploughed into about 20 other vehicles.

RTI spokesperson Sindi Msimang explained that emergency services were immediately on the scene; however, at the time of going to publish, it was difficult to determine the extent of injuries or whether there were any fatalities.

Read also

Big reveal of R82 million Bree Street in Johannesburg sparks debate online, shares video

Speaking in the aftermath of the crash, Msimang said:

"We just want to advise the road users to divert on eShongweni should they come towards Pietermaritzburg. If they are going towards Durban, they can use Cato Ridge as an alternative route."

Source: Briefly News