By Selaki Ledwaba.
Four female passengers have been killed and several others injured when a bus they were travelling in overturned on the R81 at Ga-Sekgopo in Limpopo on Saturday evening.
According to preliminary reports by the Department of Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo, the driver lost control of the bus.
The bus then overturned.
The crash left eight others seriously injuries.
Provincial spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said all injured passengers were transported to various hospitals for urgent medical care.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of immense grief. We also wish those injured a full and speedy recovery,” said Chuene.
“On this sombre note, we urge all road users, particularly public transport operators, to exercise extreme caution, strictly obey the rules of the road, and prioritise the safety of all passengers.”
The cause of the crash is being investigated.
In a separate incident, an unknown number of people are missing after the car they were drving crashed off a cliff in KwaSwayimane, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Department of Transport in the province said a helicopter rescue team has been deployed to locate the wreckage.
The department’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the damage and condition of the passengers in the car cannot be confirmed at this stage.
However, a’ team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate is liaising with the South African Police Search and Rescue Unit and emergency personnel.
“I have assigned a team from my office to liaise with the family and the neighbours. We will give more updates as the day progresses,” he said.