Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has expressed his concern about the high number of road deaths in the Eastern Cape.

The total is just shy of the 90 mark since the start of the festive season.

Mchunu and the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola are on the Eastern Cape leg of their nationwide oversight on the Safer Season operations.

#sapsEC [SAFER FESTIVE SEASON INSPECTION TOUR EASTERN CAPE] The Minister of Police Mr Senzo Mchunu, together with National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, the Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lt Gen Tebello Mosikilli and the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner,… pic.twitter.com/yxAwEDyX86

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 22, 2024

Limpopo

Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo has visited the scene of a crash in which seven people were killed in Botlokwa outside Polokwane in Limpopo.

Several other people were injured and taken to various hospitals.

The crash involved seven vehicles including a taxi and a truck.

The road has since been cleared and is open.

Boshielo says, “Unfortunately while we were still receiving briefing, we were being told about this accident. We had to come and understand what is happening. What we got is that there are cars which collided and seven lives were lost. They are still busy on the scene.”

PHOTO GALLERY | Limpopo accident scene:

VIDEO | Seven killed in multiple vehicle crash on the N1 in Botlokwa, Limpopo:

Crime

Mchunu says a total of 13 600 suspects have been arrested since October in the Eastern Cape, and nearly 500 of those are for murder.

A total of 351 firearms were also seized during this time including more than 4700 rounds of ammunition. –Additional reporting by Avhapfani Munyai.