By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences following a horrific bus crash that claimed 42 lives, near Makhado, Limpopo.
The accident occurred Sunday afternoon (12 October) at the notorious hairpin bend near the Ingwe Hotel after the driver lost control.
Fullview learnt that the bus veered off a mountainous section of the N1 and plunged down an embankment.
Emergency services, including paramedics, transport officers, and law enforcement officials, responded swiftly, recovering the deceased and transporting injured passengers to nearby hospitals.
Among the fatalities are seven children, 17 adult males and 18 adult females. It has also been revealed that 38 people are injured, including six in a critical state, 31 seriously injured, and 7 slightly injured.
Limpopo Transport MEC Violet Mathye said preliminary investigations point to possible driver fatigue or a mechanical fault as the cause of the accident.
Mathye said, confirmed 38 people were injured and receiving treatment in nearby hospitals, down from 39 after a 10-month-old baby succumbed to injuries.
Law enforcement and rescue teams remained at the site into Monday, combing through the wreckage for clues.
Ramaphosa said his thoughts were with the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a full and speedy recovery.
“This incident is a tragedy for South Africa and our sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi alike. Our roads are economic networks that bring the people of our region together across our national borders.
“We must do everything we can as road users, as transport operators, drivers and passengers to ensure that we stay safe and that we share our roads responsibly and with care for one another,” he said.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has also sent a team to investigate the crash, as mandated by the department of transport.
Premier Phophi Ramathuba is scheduled to visit the crash site on Monday to meet the multi-disciplinary emergency team for updates. She will later visit hospitals where the injured are receiving care.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Losing so many lives in one incident is painful beyond words. On behalf of the Limpopo Provincial Government, we extend our deepest condolences to the affected families, including those in Zimbabwe and Malawi. We wish a full and speedy recovery to all survivors. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” Ramathuba said.