Klerkraal - A bus accident in the Klerkskraal area near Ventersdorp in the North West, has claimed the lives of seven people and seriously injured 68 others when it overturned on the N14 on Sunday.
The Putco bus was traveling from Atamelang to Johannesburg on the N14 when the driver lost control causing it to overturn.
Provincial police spokesperson Superintendent Lesego Metsi confirmed with BuaNews on Monday that "seven passengers were certified dead on the scene while the others were critically injured."
He said the driver and other passengers sustained serious injuries and were taken to Ventersdorp, Potchefstroom, Carltonville and Johannesburg hospitals respectively.
"We have other passengers who were admitted at the intensive care units who were badly injured and so far we have not received any reports of whether they are still alive or not," he said.
Superintendent Metsi further said they had opened a case of culpable homicide to investigate the cause of the accident.
"We do not know exactly what caused the accident but the case of culpable homicide has been opened to check exactly what might have caused the accident.
"This is a terrible accident so we can't assume the cause of the accident as we have not spoken fully to the bus drive," he said.
Transport, Roads and Community Safety MEC Phenye Vilakazi on Monday passed his condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured patients a speedy recovery.
MEC Vilakazi said the Jaws Traffic Unit will on Tuesday review all bus operating permits and check vehicles and drivers' fitness on all the provincial roads.
Acting departmental spokesperson, James Moche told BuaNews they would continue with their work to check the state of vehicles and drivers operating permits to ensure safe roads.
"What happened on the N14 route was a terrible accident and we wish those who are still alive a speedy recovery.
"We will also like to assure our communities that the department will work tirelessly in ensuring that public transport is safe to use.
Mr Moche also advised that drivers must not continue to drive when they felt tired and sleepy.
"Many accidents are caused by drivers that have fatigue and our appeal is for them not to drive and avoid taking the lives of other people unnecessary," he said.
However, the North West has recorded a decrease in the number of road deaths during the festive season.
The road deaths decreased from 114 deaths in 2007-2008 to 70 in the corresponding period in 2008-2009.
