Police Officer and 5 Inmates Die in Limpopo Crash, Several Injured As SAPS Vehicle and Truck Collide

• A police officer and several inmates were killed in a crash on the R101 South near Mookgophong, Limpopo
• The inmates were being transported from Mookgopong to court in Naboomspruit when the crash happened
• The road remains closed as emergency medical services attend to the scene and treat the injured

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.

LIMPOPO – At least six people have been confirmed dead in a tragic accident in Naboomspruit, Limpopo.

A police officer and five inmates were declared dead after a crash involving a South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicle and a truck. The inmates were being transported from Mookgopong in the Waterberg District to court in Naboomspruit.

While six were initially killed, police later confirmed that a seventh person passed on. The individual, who was one of the inmates, succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

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Road closed as emergency services attend to the scene

According to preliminary reports, at least six people have been injured in the crash, and the truck driver survived as well. The road, which is part of the R101 South near Mookgophong, had been closed, and motorists had been advised to avoid the area.

Emergency services were on the scene, and a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) aircraft landed shortly afterwards to provide further medical assistance.

Inmates succumb to injuries

Despite receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries, two other inmates succumbed to their injuries the following day, Limpopo Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba confirmed.

" Two more inmates, who had been admitted to hospital following the collision, sadly succumbed to their injuries on Friday. That brings the death toll to nine; one police officer and eight prisoners,” he said.

Mashaba confirmed that the remaining injured inmates were still receiving medical treatment.

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Provincial Police Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, conveyed his condolences to all affected families and wished the injured inmates a speedy recovery. The Provincial Commissioner also stated that the South African Police Service would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident that led to fatalities.

There were concerns raised that the accident was part of a botched attempt to free the passengers. Some people were concerned following the escape of a Zimbabwean national who shot dead two detectives while they were transporting him from court to prison.

The awaiting trial prisoner has been on the run ever since.

Other stories involving inmates

Briefly News reported that the crash was the latest story involving the country's inmates and deaths this year.

On 10 August 2025, police offered a R150,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Jabulani Moyo, the man accused of shooting two detectives dead.

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Two days before that, a violent incident at the Oudtshoorn Medium Correctional Centre left one inmate dead.

In April 2025, seven officials from the Mangaung Prison were suspended following the mysterious death of an inmate.

Source: Briefly News