Eastern Cape Premier, Phumulo Masualle, said he wass saddened by the deaths of eight people in a horror accident on the R-61 near Ngcobo on Tuesday night.
Authorities said that six people were killed instantly when a bakkie carrying 14 people went out of control and collided with an oncoming vehicle.
Two other people died en route to hospital while several other people sustained injuries.
In a statement Wednesday, Premier Masualle, said that according to unconfirmed reports, the crash victims were on their way to collect their social assistance grants.
"Unconfirmed reports are that the passengers in the bakkie were en-route to collecting their social-assistance grants in Engcobo when the tragedy occurred," he said.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
"On behalf of the Eastern Cape Government, Premier Masualle has conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery."
