KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, has expressed condolences to the families of the nine church members who lost their lives in a bus accident on the N2, between Mandeni and Stanger, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a bus, transporting members of the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity from Richards Bay to Shakaskraal, near KwaDukuza, experienced a tyre burst.
The incident caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Duma commended the coordinated efforts of the rescue teams involved in the operation, including the Road Traffic Information (RTI) team, traffic departments, fire and disaster teams from Mandeni and KwaDukuza, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“The team conducted a very complicated search and rescue operation due to the steep embankment and thick bush. The operation was completed at 11:30pm [Sunday], and no victim was found left in the wreckage,” Duma said in a statement on Monday.
Duma noted that the incident occurred just as the province was finalising its Road Safety Plans ahead of the Easter holidays.
On Monday, Duma visited the site of the crash, which was located approximately 100 meters down the embankment along the N2.
The wreckage was retrieved and transported to the RTI offices in Gingindlovu to facilitate investigations by the SAPS, Road Traffic Management Corporation, and RTI.
“This is a difficult period for the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa as a whole. We pray to God to shine his face on the families, relatives, church members and those who were injured.
“The department will be in touch with all families and the leadership of the church, starting from [Monday]. We want to ensure that the victims are given a dignified funeral,” Duma said. – SAnews.gov.za
