At least 21 people have been killed in a road crash involving two minibus taxis and an SUV in South Africa’s Western Cape province.

The crash occurred between Leeu-Gamka and Prince Albert, about 380 kilometres northeast of Cape Town, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on Monday.

Police have opened a culpable homicide investigation, while several other occupants were reportedly taken to hospital.

The crash forced the closure of the highway after the vehicles collided at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.

South Africa continues to record a high number of road deaths, with authorities blaming factors including speeding, reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles and failure to use seat belts.

RTMC data shows that 11,485 people died in road crashes across the country in 2025, a decline of more than five percent from the previous year.