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The Eastern Cape Transport Department has reported the deaths of five people following a collision between a minibus and an SUV on the N9.
The department spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, said 13 other people were injured following the crash about 30 kilometres from Aberdeen at around 4 am on Monday.
He said the vehicles, a Renault SUV with four occupants, and a minibus from the Western Cape with 13 occupants were involved.
Komisa said four occupants in the SUV, who were all females, died on the scene, while a minor child from the same vehicle died in hospital in Graaff-Reinet.
The injured occupants from the minibus were also rushed to Graff Reinet, with two said to be critical, while the others sustained serious injuries.
The cause of the accident will form part of the culpable homicide investigation by police.
Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and has wished the injured passengers a speedy recovery.
