Ekurhuleni Crash Leaves 6 Dead As Mazda Ends Up in Zonkizizwe River, SA Blames Road and Evil Spirits

• Six people were declared dead after a vehicle crashed into the Zonkizizwe River near Katlehong on Sunday, 31 August 2025
• Investigations continue into the cause of the accident, and the identities of the deceased have not been made public
• South Africans speculated on what caused the accident, with some blaming the road and others saying it was evil spirits

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Investigations are underway into a tragic accident in Ekurhuleni, which left six people dead.

The victims passed away after the vehicle they were travelling in was found in the Zonkizizwe River near Katlehong. The circumstances surrounding the crash, which happened on Sunday, 31 August 2025, remain under investigation by Ekurhuleni's Metropolitan Police Department.

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Vehicle found overturned in the river

Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) reported to the scene on Sunday at about 8:25 pm after receiving a call about an accident.

There, they found that a Mazda sedan seemingly veered off the R550 road and into the Zonkizizwe River. The vehicle was overturned and submerged in the river.

Emergency personnel were able to pull the vehicle out of the river using towing equipment, but found that the six people inside were already deceased.

"Upon arrival, our teams discovered the vehicle on its roof in the river. Six bodies were recovered from inside the car after it was pulled out of the water," Emergency Services spokesperson Tikkie MacDonald confirmed.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been made public as their next of kin need to be notified first.

Authorities urge motorists to be cautious

Authorities have since urged motorists travelling in the area to be extra cautious at night, especially in parts where there is poor lighting and sharp bends.

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The stretch of the R550, especially near the Zonkizizwe River, has been flagged for safety concerns in the past.

The fatal crash is the latest in tragic stories to hit the Katlehong area this year. In March 2025, police were investigating a case where a teenager was shot and killed.

In May 2025, a girl was kidnapped in the area, with video footage surfacing that showed community members attempting to chase the vehicle used to kidnap her..

How did South Africans react?

Social media users shared mixed reactions to the news, with some blaming the drivers, others blaming the road, and some even suggesting that the river was the issue.

Khambela Odwa asked:

“When are we going to stop drinking and driving?”

Gamä Fezilé stated:

“That spot has potholes. The family must sue the municipality for damages.”

Kwethemba Ngubane said:

“Haibo, this river is hunting us. Like seriously bafwethu😩.”

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Thami Malatse suggested:

“It used to be Vosloorus and eMhlangeni, now it's Zonke. This river is contaminated with lots of dark spirits because people go there for cleansing and evoke evil spirits, which need to be fed. Hence, there are lots of deaths taking place in the same spot.”

Bongie Ntilini agreed:

“This place has a problem.”

Malefane Salela said:

“Speed is the cause of the accident. Whether drunk or not drunk.”

Luyanda Luu added:

“At night, we are driving 160 km/h on that road. That’s what causes accidents.”

Sane Li Siwe exclaimed:

“Yoh, even last week the was an accident in this river.”

Sphamandla Mazibuko said:

“Something is wrong with this road.”

Themba Kalashnikov Makhoba added:

“The problem is not the river. Speeding on that bridge is the problem.”

Constable's vehicle retrieved from the Hennops River

Briefly News reported that South African Police Service (SAPS) divers retrieved a VW Polo from the Hennops River in Centurion.

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The vehicle was confirmed to be the same one that three constables were travelling in before they disappeared.

South Africans questioned why the items inside the vehicle didn't look like they had been damaged from being underwater.

Source: Briefly News