Nine ANC supporters have died, and 10 are in a critical condition after a bus they were traveling in overturned.
The supporters were traveling home to Mpumalanga from the launch of the ANC Election Manifesto in Durban.
The bus lost control and overturned on the R33 route, 5km from Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu Natal.
The ruling party confirmed the deaths of their supporters in a statement.
“We have received with profound shock the news of the untimely passing of our members from Mpumalanga Province. Tragically, our comrades were involved in a bus accident in Dumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of the morning while returning from the ANC’s highly successful launch of our elections manifesto Mayihlome Rally 2024.
“There are reports of several fatalities and a number of comrades in critical condition,” The ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Bhengu-Motsiri also said that the party’s KZN and Mpumalanga provincial leadership are en route to the accident scene and hospitals where they will assess the situation, visit the injured comrades and meet with the families affected.
“It is a true tragedy that there be such a loss of lives after such a memorable day. Their selflessness and commitment to building a better future for generations to come will forever be remembered.
“We send our heart-felt condolences to the families of the departed comrades, their relatives, and friends. We also wish those injured a speedy recovery. Further updates will be issued during the course of today,” she said.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police and various emergency services are at the scene of the accident on the R33 between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg.
“According to a preliminary report, the bus was coming from the Moses Mabhida Stadium when it overturned. Eight people died on the scene while the 9th victim died in hospital and scores injured. Those that are injured have been taken to various hospitals in the area for medical care,” Mathe said.
This is the second accident to happen after an ANC rally to claim lives.
MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka expressed his deepest condolences to the ANC and all affected families.
“After such a hugely successful rally in Moses Mabhida, we are now waking up to such painful news. We have, however, already deployed a team on the scene that is already at work with all law enforcement agencies.
“The investigation has already started, and we are already in touch with the bus owner. Our investigation is looking at the condition of the road, condition of the bus, weather during the times of the accident, and the condition of the driver,” said MEC Hlomuka.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to all the affected families and speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries,” said MEC Hlomuka
INSIDE POLITICS
