Two SAPS Runners Die in Head-On Collision After Jacaranda Marathon

Two SAPS Runners Die in Head-On Collision After Jacaranda Marathon

  • Constable Zenzile Ntuli and Captain Vusi Skosana died in a head-on collision with a truck on the R573 Moloto Road
  • Skosana completed the Jacaranda Marathon in 5:10:25, while Ntuli finished in 4:40:43
  • Ntuli had recently won the First Master Female Athlete award at the SAPS National Marathon Championships

Two South African Police Service (SAPS) runners have died in a head-on collision involving a truck while travelling home after participating in the Jacaranda Marathon in Pretoria.

SAPS, Jacaranda Marathon, Pretoria, South Africa
Constable Zenzile Ntuli and Captain Vusi Skosana died in a head-on collision with a truck on the R573 Moloto Road. Image: SAPS
Source: Twitter

Constable Zenzile Ntuli and Captain Vusi Skosana died at the scene of the accident on Saturday, 24 October 2026, on the R573 Moloto Road near Big Tree Mall. A third person was also involved in the collision, according to the police.

The SAPS National Marathon Association confirmed the deaths in a statement shared by the police on Sunday, 25 October, expressing grief over the loss of two members of its athletics community.

Who were the two SAPS runners killed in the crash?

Read also

Springbok women name new captain and 2 new props to face Ireland in Cape Town WXV test

Ntuli was stationed at the Roodeplaat Academy and represented SAPS Head Office in marathon running. Skosana was attached to the Kwa-Mhlanga Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) and represented the SAPS Mpumalanga team.

PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.

Both officers had participated in the Jacaranda Marathon on Saturday before the fatal crash on their journey home.

According to the SAPS National Marathon Association, Skosana completed the race in 5 hours, 10 minutes and 25 seconds, while Ntuli finished in 4 hours, 40 minutes and 43 seconds.

Their deaths have left colleagues and fellow athletes mourning two members who combined their policing responsibilities with a commitment to long-distance running.

Read the statement from the SAPS in the post below on X.

Constable Ntuli recently received an athletics award

Ntuli had distinguished herself at the SAPS National Marathon Championships held in the North West Province on 17 October 2026, just a week before the fatal accident.

She received the award for First Master Female Athlete at the championships, according to the police statement.

Both Ntuli and Skosana had competed at the national championships before taking part in the Jacaranda Marathon in Pretoria.

Read also

Football Community Pays Tribute to Evaton Home Defenders Legend Philemon Moroke

The SAPS National Marathon Association described their passing as a devastating loss to the organisation's athletics fraternity, noting their dedication, discipline and sporting achievements.

SAPS National Marathon Association paid tribute to the officers and expressed its condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and teammates of the two officers.

The statement read:

“Their untimely passing is a devastating loss to the SAPS athletics fraternity. Beyond their commitment to policing, they were passionate athletes whose dedication, discipline and sporting achievements inspired their fellow members.”

The association also acknowledged the grief of those affected by the deaths, saying it shared in their sorrow during the difficult time.

Rudolf Köberl-Labenbacher, 72, killed on N2

Briefly News previously reported that Rudolf Köberl-Labenbacher was cycling 4km outside Swellendam when a vehicle struck him on Wednesday, 14 October 2026

His wife Hertha received the devastating news from SAPS while at home in Vienna, hours after their final phone call

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Ncube Harrison avatar

Ncube Harrison (Sports Editor) Harrison Ncube is a sports journalist with years of experience covering African and global sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from the Zimbabwe Open University and previously worked at Sports Buzz (2018–2022), freelanced for Sports Journal (2023–2024), and contributed to Radio 54 African Panorama Live (2021–2023). He joined Briefly News in February 2025. For inquiries, reach him at ncube.harrison@briefly.co.za.