The death toll in a head-on collision between a minibus and another vehicle on the N1 near Mookgophong in Limpopo has risen to 17.
Transport Department Spokesperson Mike Maringa says five more bodies have been discovered inside the burnt bus.
Eleven bodies were recovered on Tuesday night.
The driver of the other vehicle is among those killed.
Eight other people, who were passengers on the minibus, were killed.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are underway.
12 Killed in a head-on crash between bus and a Toyota SUV on the N1 near Mookgophong off-ramp https://t.co/3qQrYACsju #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety @TransportLimCom @TrafficRTMC pic.twitter.com/xIiaKQa29P
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 12, 2022
Screaming for help
An eyewitness, who was amongst the first to arrive at the scene, says it was chaotic.
He says trapped passengers could be heard screaming for help.
Only eight were rescued by passing motorists.
The witness who wants to remain anonymous had this to say: “It took place outside Mookgophong, N1 North. The minibus collided head-on with an SUV which was southbound. From the 22 seater bus, eight people were rescued. The fire has been extinguished now and the entire road has been closed.”
-Additional reporting by Rudzani Tshivase