Inmates from Thohoyandou prison narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when an oncoming taxi collided head-on with the police van in which they were being transported. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 2 August, at approximately 16:30.
Details surrounding the accident remain unclear, but sources indicate that officers from the Levubu SAPS were escorting four prisoners who had previously appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court back to Matatshe prison in Thohoyandou. As the police van was preparing to turn into the prison gates, an approaching taxi bound for Thohoyandou reportedly disregarded the four-way stop at the prison entrance, resulting in a direct collision with the police van. The impact caused the van to overturn and come to a rest on its side.
Sergeant Vuledzani Dathi, acting spokesperson for Vhembe SAPS, confirmed the incident and suggested that reckless driving was the likely cause. The taxi carried seven passengers and a driver, while the police van accommodated four prisoners, the driver, and a colleague. Although most of the injured passengers were treated and discharged from Donald Frazer Hospital, one of the prisoners remained hospitalised.
The authorities are currently investigating the incident as a case of reckless and negligent driving.
A local resident, Mr David Mudau, who regularly commutes via taxi near the prison, emphasised the danger of the accident-prone area. He highlighted the recurring problems of speeding and motorists' disregarding stop signs. Mudau proposed the installation of a speed bump to compel motorists to slow down and called upon traffic officials to monitor the location vigilantly and penalise reckless drivers. Such measures, he argued, could prevent unnecessary accidents and potential loss of life.