POLOKWANE, LIMPOPO — A devastating collision between a minibus taxi and a truck near Sepanapudi has claimed the life of a 13-year-old school learner and left 14 others seriously injured.

The horrific accident occurred early on Friday morning, June 12, 2026 on the R597 route near Ngoato Tlou High School, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting an immediate response from emergency personnel and provincial traffic officials.

According to preliminary reports released by the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the minibus taxi was traveling along the R597 when it suddenly attempted to change lanes. The sudden maneuver was reportedly a desperate bid by the taxi driver to avoid striking a pedestrian on the roadway.

Tragically, as the minibus swerved into the adjacent lane, it pulled directly into the path of an oncoming truck. The impact was catastrophic. The crash resulted in the immediate death of the 13-year-old student at the scene.

Emergency responders arrived rapidly to find 14 other occupants who had sustained serious injuries. Paramedics worked meticulously on-site to stabilize the wounded before transferring them to nearby medical facilities for urgent, specialized care.

The severity of the collision forced traffic authorities to immediately close down the affected section of the R597 to allow emergency services to extract victims and clear the extensive wreckage.

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety later confirmed that traffic personnel successfully managed to reopen at least one lane to ease the mounting gridlock. However, motorists traveling through the Lebowakgomo area were urged to exercise extreme caution and anticipate significant delays as full clearance operations continued well into the morning.

The fatal incident has reignited deep anxieties regarding public and student transportation safety across the Limpopo province. Local residents and education advocates are calling for enhanced road safety measures, particularly on corridors heavily frequented by learners commuting to nearby schools. A formal investigation into the exact sequence of events has been launched by local law enforcement. Investigators will examine the actions of both drivers, road conditions, and the role of the pedestrian to determine ultimate liability for the tragedy.

Provincial officials extended their deepest condolences to the family of the young learner and wished a swift, complete recovery to those currently fighting for their lives in the hospital.