Africa-Press – South-Africa. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said the bus crash in Limpopo that claimed the lives of 22 mineworkers on Sunday was a “blow [to] the socio-economic well-being of the country”.
She confirmed the 22 deaths and added that another four people were hospitalised.
“We don’t have words enough to express our shock and sadness at this horrific incident. The loss of so many lives and injuries among the working class leaves a permanent telling blow on the socio-economic well-being of the country, and families and loved ones lose breadwinners and are torn apart when such tragedy strikes,” she said.
The minister said the collision, which occurred on the D2692 Venetia Road between Musina and De Beers mine in the Vhembe area, resulted in “tragic and unnecessary deaths”.
“Many of the crash victims lost their lives at the scene, while others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Reports received thus far indicate that the crash involved a bus transporting mine workers from Venetia Mine and a truck on the R572 road toward Musina,” she added.
News24 previously reported that the bus was understood to have been travelling from Musina, transporting workers to the Venetia Diamond Mine near Alldays.
In a video on social media, which purportedly shows the accident scene, the bus is on fire and several bodies can be seen on the grass alongside the road.
A burning tyre is among the bodies, several metres away from the bus.
Chikunga said: “It is alleged that the bus and the truck collided head-on, resulting in both vehicles catching alight. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation at this point with crash reconstruction and investigation teams and law enforcement officers from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the South African Police Service and provincial investigation teams dispatched to the scene.”
In a statement on social media, Murray and Roberts said it was “devastated” by the accident involving its employees.
The company said those who were injured were receiving “the best medical care available”.
“Words cannot express the depth of our sadness and the pain we feel for the bereaved families,” the company said.
Murray and Roberts said it was “committed to providing all necessary support, counselling and [assistance] during this challenging time”.
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Florence Radzilani visited the accident scene on Monday. Radzilani was joined by the mayor of the Musina Local Municipality, Godfrey Mawela, and senior mine management officials.
Radzilani said two of the victims died in hospital.
Chikunga conveyed her condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.
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