At least nine ANC supporters who attended the governing party’s election manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday were killed in a bus crash just outside Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal.
AT LEAST nine ANC supporters who attended the governing party’s election manifesto launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday were killed in a bus crash just outside Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to emergency services and the SAPS, first responders were still at the crash scene on the R33 near Paulpietersburg on Sunday.
The number of fatalities has been rising, with emergency services initially declaring seven dead.
In January, six ANC supporters who were travelling to the ANC’s January 8 Statement in Mbombela from Limpopo died when their bus crashed at Magoebaskloof near Tzaneen.
According to a National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATjoints) report by national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the bus was travelling from the Moses Mabhida Stadium when it overturned.
In a 9am update, Mathe said: “Police and various emergency services are at the scene of a bus accident on the R33 between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg in KZN.
“Eight people have so far been confirmed dead and scores injured. Those that are injured have been taken to various hospitals in the area for medical care,” she said.
In a later update, the KZN Department of Transport said nine people had been declared dead.
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service spokesperson Craig Botha said that the service’s paramedics arriving at the accident scene were faced with an overwhelming number of patients who were hysterical and frightened.
“Paramedics found that four patients had sustained critical injuries, 22 patients had sustained serious injuries and 28 patients had sustained minor injuries,” he said.
KZN Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka said he was saddened by the loss of life after a successful ANC manifesto launch.
“After such a hugely successful rally in Moses Mabhida, we are now waking up to such painful news. We have however already deployed a team on the scene which is already at work with all law enforcement agencies,” Hlomuka said.
“The investigation has already started, and we are already in touch with the bus owner. Our investigation is looking at the condition of the road, condition of the bus, weather during the times of the accident and the condition of the driver.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to all the affected families and speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries,” he said.
The ANC said on Sunday that it was shocked and saddened by the horror bus crash.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said they were saddened by the deaths. She said the KZN Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, who was also the deputy chairperson of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, along with other party leaders from Mpumalanga, were on their way to the crash scene and would be visiting the survivors.
“Our comrades exemplified an unwavering commitment to the ANC by responding to the rallying call of Mayihlome. It is a true tragedy that there be such a loss of lives after such a memorable day.
“Their selflessness and commitment to building a better future for generations to come will forever be remembered.
“We send our heart-felt condolences to the families of the departed comrades, their relatives, and friends. We also wish those injured a speedy recovery,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
