By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A bus carrying at least 44 people veered off the Van Rhyns Pass in the Western Cape on Monday afternoon, claiming the lives of nine people.
The head of communication for the mobility department, Muneera Allie, said the death toll currently stood at nine. “The injured [were] transported to hospital.”
Allie said the bus was believed to be carrying farm workers on their way to Ceres.
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) Spokesperson Simon Zwane said the crash involved a single passenger bus-type vehicle.
“It is alleged that the driver of the bus collided with the side of the mountain slope after which the driver lost control and the bus rolled down the slope of the mountain.”
Zwane said the precise cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Western Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said police would provide an update on Tuesday.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation,” Swartbooi said shortly after the accident.
Meanwhile in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) a total of 21 people died in road crashes this past weekend.
KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has declared a week of mourning.
Duma said times like these call for our hearts to turn to God to give the families of the victims strength.
Duma said: “The department has since assigned a team of highly experienced officials to visit all the families, starting today. Each family is facing circumstances that are unique and therefore, our response is tailor-made to help each family go through this ordeal in a manner that shows empathy.”
He said that the department has also launched a thorough investigation as it is serious about making KZN roads safer for everyone.
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli also conveyed his condolences to the affected families.
“I’d like to extend my profound condolences to the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives due to a fatal head-on collision on the R622, R74 and N2. It’s heartbreaking that we continue to mourn the loss of loved ones as a result of road carnage,” he said.
Ntuli also called on all road law enforcement agencies to execute all possible measures to reduce road carnages across the province.