8 killed in crash on way to funeral

Mbombela - Eight people who were on their way to a funeral died when their vehicle collided head-on with a light delivery truck near Thulamahashe in Mpumalanga on Saturday.

They were travelling to fetch the hearse for the funeral, the province's safety and security department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said.

The group was travelling in an eight-seater Toyota Verso when it collided with the truck at around 05:00 along the D501 road near Thulamahashe.

Four people, two from each vehicle were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Mabuza said police were investigating a possible case of drunken driving.

The Democratic Alliance on Sunday sent its condolences to the families of the eight victims.

"The DA, along with the rest of Mpumalanga shares the tragic loss suffered by the bereaved, and wishes those who suffered injuries a speedy recovery," the DA's provincial safety and security spokesperson Jane Sithole said.

Sithole urged people to be alert on the road, to obey the rules of the road and to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy.