By Montsho Matlala
Amid sombre moods following a fatal bus crash carrying Zion Christian Church (ZCC) worshippers to Moria outside Polokwane, Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Violet Mathye on Sunday visited the injured in three hospitals to wish them a speedy recovery.
Mathye was accompanied by Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego and senior officials to see survivors of the terrible crash who are currently admitted to Kgapane Hospital, Mankweng Hospital, and Van Velden Hospital.
She also extended her deepest condolences to the families of the four women who lost their lives in the horror crash.
“We urge all road users to adhere to the road safety regulations, maintain their vehicles, and prioritise safety. This will ensure a safe arrival at their destinations,” she said.
The visit underscores the government’s commitment to responding to the needs of those affected by the crash and working towards preventing similar incidents in the future, the department said in a statement.
According to provincial Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene, traffic officers found a bus belonging to PJ Thwala Bus Service lying on its side on the R81 road on Saturday evening.
“The bus was travelling from Giyani to ZCC headquarters in Moria near Polokwane. It reportedly experienced difficulties navigating the terrain at the Sekgopo mountains. The driver stopped, and some passengers got out to place stones under the wheels to prevent it from rolling backward.
While doing so, the bus suddenly reversed at high speed, collided with the guardrail, and then crashed into the mountain. It came to rest on its left side, and passengers who remained inside managed to escape through the damaged windshield.”
Four women died, eight passengers sustained serious to moderate injuries, and 45 others — including the bus driver — sustained minor injuries.
All injured passengers were swiftly transported to the three hospitals, Chuene explained.
“The bus was carrying men and women from Giyani to the church service when it crashed. Investigations into this unfortunate incident are underway,” she added.
RAF Head of Communications McIntosh Polela said, “RAF has no knowledge of the incident at this stage.”
PJ Thwala Bus Company could not be reached at the time of going to press.
