MOPANI – Nine people were killed in three motor vehicle accidents that took place in the Mopani area during the past six days.

The first incident took place along the Elim to Giyani road on Monday morning were four people died.

According to police spokesperson in the area, Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, a bus carrying 80 passengers fell into a donga after the driver lost control over it. One person, Esther Hlaina Kubayi (35) of Ndengeza Village died instantly. Abel Hlongwane (51) of Noblehoek Settlement, Salphinah Khaurisa Mkhabele (45) also from Noblehoek and Mojaji Ralephaka (40) of Hamamaila in the Sekgosese area died at Khensani, Mankweng and Pietersburg hospitals respectively. According to the police statement more than 40 people were still in a critical condition at different hospitals at the time of going to press.

In another incident, a man and a woman died on the spot, when the vehicle in which they were travelling overturned several times along the Mooketsi-Soekmekaar road on Tuesday morning.

According to a police statement, there were five occupants in the car, including a five months old baby. The deceased was identified as Alpheus Masilo Rasebeka (40) of Eisleben village in the Botlokwa area. The police were still battling to establish the identity of the woman at the time of going to press. The other two occupants, a husband and wife with their baby were seriously injured in the accident.

In another incident, three people died instantly, when two vehicles collided head-on along Constatia-Giyani road on Sunday morning.

Two of the deceased were drivers, while the third one was a passenger. The drivers were Martin Botha (45) of Letsitele and Ephraim Mphahlele (28) of Polokwane while France Deale (34) from Polokwane was a passenger in one of the cars. In a statement that was issued this week police in the area have warned road users to keep their eyes open during the Easter holidays.