Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: Just after midnight, we received a report from our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing us about a horrific head-on collision involving a truck and a bus.
Importantly, we are establishing facts around reports that the bus was transporting supporters of a political party.
Based on the report from the RTI, after the head-on collision, the truck struck the side of the bus.
Sadly, the sideswipe resulted in the following:
1. Ten passengers died and are being taken to Vryheid Mortuary.
2. Ten passengers are seriously injured and are being taken to various local hospitals.
3. Twenty-two passengers are slightly injured.
4. Six passengers were not injured.
5. The truck and bus drivers survived and have been taken to hospitals.
The road has been closed to enable emergency services to provide quality care to the surviving passengers.
At 2am, the scene is still active, and we request motorists along the R34 Vryheid to be patient.
We have agreed with the RTI team that we will work with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African Police Service as part of a comprehensive investigation.
Ends
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements
Update:
Update at 5am by MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma: Death toll has increased to 12 following truck and bus accident in Vryheid along the R34