Pretoria - Preliminary reports in the investigation into this morning's fatal accident on the Moloto Road point to negligent driving or vehicle unroadworthiness, according to the Tshwane Community Safety Department.
Four people died when a Putco bus overturned next to the Kameeldrift Police Station. Three passengers were critically injured, eleven sustained serious injuries while 46 escaped with only minor injuries.
The injured were treated on the scene and transported to Steve Biko Academic, GaRankuwa, Kalafong and Moot hospitals as well as local private clinics.
Tshwane Community Safety Department spokesperson Console Tleane said that while the exact cause of the bus overturning was not known and would be investigated, it seemed that that the driver had lost control of the vehicle.
"The bus swayed for about 100 metres and then overturned on its right hand side and ended on the east-bound side of the road, off the road. This may suggest that either driver negligence or error, vehicle unfitness, or a combination of the two may have caused the accident. All these will be investigated formally," said Tleane.
He said a case of culpable homicide would be investigated against the driver.
This is the second fatal accident on the road in just over a week. In the first incident 10 people were burnt to death when a bus collided with a truck and burst into flames.
Tleane said that there was evidence of either driver negligence and error, vehicle faultiness, or a combination of the two.
"We therefore call on motorists to observe the basic rules of the road. We also wish to call both bus and truck companies, without making any distinction, that they must ensure that their drivers observe the road laws in their totality, and that their vehicles are in good conditions," he said.
The Tshwane Metro Police are expected to embark on visible policing on the road and conduct stop-and-searches to assess driver and vehicle fitness.
