By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Twelve people have died after a truck and a bus collided on the R34 near Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Monday night.
Fullview learnt that the people involved in the accident were coming from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Youth Day rally held in King Zwelithini stadium.
The provincial Department of Transport and Human Settlements said the tragic crash occurred on the R34 highway in Vryheid.
“Just after midnight, we received a report from our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing us about a horrific head-on collision involving a truck and a bus,” said MEC Siboniso Duma.
It is believed the group had been travelling back home after a political rally in KZN.
“Based on the report from the RTI, after the head-on collision, the truck struck the side of the bus,” the MEC added.
The roadway has been closed to traffic for emergency staff and necessary teams to conduct their investigations.
“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 said.
EFF Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo has confirmed that the bus that was involved in a fatal crash on the R34 was transporting the party’s supporters back to Vryheid after a Youth Day rally in KZN.
Thambo said the EFF will be assisting families to identify their loved ones.
Meanwhile Transport Minister Barbara Creecy commended the slight decrease in road fatalities in the first five months of 2025, but cautioned that the figures were still too high.
This year, between January and May, we have had the lowest number of fatal crashes – 2022 had the highest number of crashes, at 4 188. This year, there were 3 572 fatal crashes.
Although seven provinces registered a decrease in their numbers, the Free State and Mpumalanga continued to show an upward trend.
According to Creecy, 45% of those who lose their lives on the road are pedestrians. Additionally, 88% of accidents are caused by human behaviour, including walking on a highway, crossing a highway, running across the road when it is not your time in terms of the traffic lights, drunken driving, speeding texting while driving and fatigue on long-distance journeys.