Police in Gqeberha are investigating allegations that taxi driver behaviour may have contributed to a devastating crash that claimed the lives of seven family members on the M17 over the weekend.
The victims died in a head-on collision between a light motor vehicle and a truck on the busy route between KwaZakhele and Motherwell on Sunday afternoon. All seven occupants were declared dead at the scene.
The family was travelling in a Toyota Avanza driven by 55-year-old Khuthazwa Binda. She was accompanied by her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, one brother-in-law’s wife, and a two-year-old grandchild.
According to accounts provided by relatives to eNCA, the vehicle was allegedly being chased by two Toyota Avanza vehicles believed to be operated by taxi drivers who suspected Binda of running an illegal taxi service.
The family claims the pursuit caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which then collided with an oncoming truck, killing all seven occupants instantly.
Family spokesperson Sisa Kona-Mbilana said relatives only became aware of the tragedy after seeing reports circulating on social media, initially unaware that their own family members were involved.
He added that the group had been travelling from Soweto-on-Sea to Motherwell following a family gathering at the time of the crash.
Eastern Cape police have confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.
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