The ore truck corridor south of Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal recorded another horrific collision when a tipper collided with a bus full of supporters returning from a rally for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The bus was returning from Youth Day celebrations in Umlazi late Monday evening when the collision occurred, killing 12 and injuring about 30.
EFF spokesperson Thembi Msane confirmed the accident, saying: “These fighters lost their lives following a show of support for the revolution they belonged to, and they must be remembered as heroes to whom we owe a great debt.”
According to a preliminary accident report the truck was heading south and collided with the bus, despite the driver apparently trying to avoid striking the laden passenger vehicle.
It appears that the heavily loaded tipper’s trailer swung the rig around, side-swiping the bus.
This was confirmed by KZN Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma.
Describing the carnage of the accident, Duma said on Monday morning that the death toll could rise as emergency workers were still retrieving body parts from the surrounding environment.
It’s not the first time that the R34, used by trucks rushing to the Port of Richards Bay, usually carrying loads from Mpumalanga’s coal basin, have been involved in serious collisions between Vryheid and Ulundi.
In September 2022 an overturned truck erupted in a blaze right across the road after failing to slow down in a dangerous bend.
And in March earlier this year, a bus speeding towards Ulundi for the IFP’s 50th birthday celebrations also overturned, injuring 19, three of whom were critical.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation has indicated that it will conduct an investigation into the cause of Monday’s crash.
The accident once again highlights the danger of certain sections of road, such as the R34 towards Empangeni and Richards Bay, and the need for increased transport safety on routes linking supply locations with the country’s ports.
