READ: Bakkie Overturns on R300 in Brackenfell, Injuring 24

Brackenfell, 11 May 2025 – A Toyota Hilux bakkie carrying over 20 passengers overturned on the R300 northbound near the Old Paarl Road offramp in Brackenfell at approximately 10:25 AM on Sunday, 11 May 2025, resulting in 24 injuries but no fatalities. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of transporting passengers in open vehicles, a common practice in Cape Town.

The bakkie, en route to a church in Stikland, lost control and overturned, leaving 21 passengers with minor injuries and 3 in critical condition, according to medics at the scene. Emergency services responded swiftly, providing immediate assistance to the injured. Traffic officers from the City’s traffic services were dispatched at 10:40 AM, and the roadway was cleared and reopened by 12:24 PM.

Kevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’s traffic services, confirmed the dispatch of officers but referred inquiries about potential actions against the driver to the Brackenfell police. The police have recorded the accident, and an investigation into the cause is ongoing, with no further details released at this time.

The accident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many questioning the safety of carrying passengers in the back of open vehicles. This practice, often seen on Cape Town roads, has been criticized as risky and inadequately regulated, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of road safety laws.

The incident underscores the need for enhanced safety measures for passenger transportation, particularly in bakkies like the Toyota Hilux, which are frequently used to carry large groups. Authorities are urged to address these concerns to prevent future accidents.