Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the 10 Zimbabwean nationals who tragically lost their lives in a bus accident on Tuesday evening near 3 Mile, close to Louis Trichardt town in the Makhado Local Municipality.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when a bus ferrying passengers from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to Johannesburg, South Africa, lost control and overturned. The accident claimed the lives of 10 people—five women and five men—while several other passengers sustained injuries.
The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals, including Elim and Louis Trichardt Memorial, where they are currently receiving medical care.
While the final report from the Department of Transport and Community Safety, along with law enforcement agencies, is still pending, preliminary investigations suggest that the driver was new on the job and unfamiliar with the area’s terrain.
Premier Ramathuba emphasised the critical importance of road safety, particularly on long-distance routes frequently used by buses and heavy-duty vehicles. She called on all road users, including bus drivers, operators of heavy-duty vehicles, and drivers of light-duty vehicles, to exercise the utmost vigilance and strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such devastating accidents.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life. Each death is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of road safety. We urge all drivers to strictly abide by traffic rules and remain vigilant at all times to avoid such accidents.
“We can not afford to lose lives in this manner, especially when such incidents are preventable. We would like to commend the swift response by Team Limpopo, including EMS, the South African Police Service, Forensic Pathology Services, and Traffic Police, who worked tirelessly throughout the night,” said Premier Dr. Ramathuba.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Limpopo Provincial Government is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that the families of the deceased receive the necessary support, including assistance with the repatriation of their loved ones’ remains to Zimbabwe.
The Premier has since delegated MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms. Violet Mathye, to visit the accident scene and the injured survivors who are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.
