Seventeen lives were lost early Monday morning when two buses collided virtually head-on along the Tshikowi/Rabali public road in the Nzhelele area.

Many stood looking in disbelief upon seeing the two buses, which were travelling in opposite directions, crash into each other at speed after one of them, bearing only two occupants, swerved to avoid a stray donkey in the road. The other bus was fully loaded with passengers on their way to work..

Mass hysteria erupted after the crash as occupants of the fully loaded bus tried to escape the wreckage, fighting their way past the dead and injured, causing more injury to others who were trampled upon. Others remained trapped inside and had to be freed by rescue workers. In the meantime, the death toll kept on rising as bodies were removed and placed next to the crash site.

Initial reports indicated that seven people had died, but the true fatal magnitude of the accident became known later when provincial police spokesperson in Polokwane Supt Mohale Ramatseba confirmed that 15 people had died at the scene, while a further two later died en route to the hospital. He stated that a further 45 were injured. The most critically injured were airlifted by means of an emergency helicopter.

The tragedy reverberated throughout the community, also among the white community in Makhado (Louis Trichardt). Many lost loyal employees and friends. On Wednesday, the provincial Department of Safety, Security and Liaison expressed their condolence towards the bereaved families who had lost loved ones.

"On behalf of the Department, MEC Ratshivhanda Ndou wants to express his heartfelt condolences for the sad tragedy that has befallen the people of Limpopo in general and the Nzhelele valley in particular," a statement reads. It goes on to appeal to members of the public to embrace and assist the bereaved families in their hour of grief. An appeal has also been made to livestock owners to secure their animals as stray animals cause many fatalities on roads.

"Our people should refrain from vandalizing fences as they are meant to prevent animals from roaming our roads," the statement concludes.