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Twelve EFF supporters died in a collision between a bus and a truck on the R34 near Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Supplied/Department of Transport and Human Settlements
- Twelve EFF supporters were killed in a bus crash in KwaZulu-Natal.
- At least 30 others have been injured.
- Authorities are still on the scene.
Twelve EFF supporters died in a collision between a bus and a truck on the R34 near Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The EFF confirmed on Tuesday that the bus was carrying members home from its Youth Day rally in Umlazi.
“The EFF is saddened by the tragic passing of 12 people who lost their lives in a devastating accident along the R34 near Vryheid,” the party said in a statement.
“The EFF sends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives. These fighters lost their lives following a show of support for the revolution they belonged to, and they must be remembered as heroes to whom we owe a great debt.”
The EFF said the “process of identifying the deceased is ongoing” and that the party was “working with relevant authorities to ensure families are informed and supported”.
READ | KZN crash between bus, truck claims 12 lives
Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said it appeared that the truck had struck the side of the bus.
Ten bus passengers died at the scene, while another 10 were seriously injured and taken to various hospitals. Two more people died later.
Duma said the death toll could change as authorities combed the scene.
“We have been informed that dismembered body parts of some victims are still missing,” he added.
“In view of this, the number of fatalities will either decrease or increase. In addition, some victims were taken to local hospitals, and we are making all efforts to reach out to family members.”
Duma added that 22 other passengers had been slightly injured, while six were unharmed.
He said that the road had been closed to enable emergency services to provide care to the surviving passengers.
We have agreed with the RTI team that we will work with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African Police Service as part of a comprehensive investigation.
Duma is expected to visit the scene later today for a first-hand report from the RTI and the South African Police Service.
The MEC said the bus had been taken to the Vryheid RTI offices. The truck was still at the scene of the accident, and plans were underway to remove it.
In March, four IFP supporters were rushed to hospital after a bus accident on the same road. They were on their way to the IFP’s 50th anniversary celebration rally in Ulundi.
Reports indicated that the bus driver was allegedly speeding and failed to navigate a stop sign at a T-junction, causing it to overturn.
