KZN transport dept launches probe into cause of crash that killed 12 EFF supporters
Nhlanhla Mabaso 17 June 2025 | 9:11 KZN accidents
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
The scene of a vehicle colission near Vryheid on 16 June 2017. Picture: Supplied
DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department has kicked off an investigation into a bus crash which claimed the lives of 12 Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters.
The group was travelling from the party's Youth Day rally in Umlazi on Monday.
A truck struck a bus that the supporters were travelling in on the R34 near Vryheid on Monday night.
The crash has left a devastating impact on the R34, forcing the closure of the road.
And as emergency services work on the scene of the crash, an EFF-branded hat from one of the victims lies on the floor.
READ: 12 EFF members killed in vehicle collision near Vryheid
While 12 people are confirmed dead, 10 others sustained serious injuries, 22 were slightly injured, whole 6 passengers escaped unharmed.
"The victims were dismembered. The body parts were actually all over and some body parts are missing," said the spokesperson for the KZN transport MEC, Ndabezinhle Sibiya.
MEC Siboniso Duma is also visiting the accident scene.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
37 minutes ago
- eNCA
10 EFF supporters killed near Vryheid
DURBAN - Ten EFF supporters have been killed in a bus crash in KwaZulu-Natal. READ: Deadly KZN bus crash claims 12 lives They were travelling from the party's Youth Day rally when their bus collided with a truck near Vryheid. Police are still investigating the cause of the midnight crash.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Video: Forensic review of dismembered remains confirms 10 died in Vryheid crash
'A trail of destruction… innocent lives lost, and the lives of many families have been turned upside down.' These were the words of the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, following a horrific crash near Vryheid in KZN. The Witness reports that after a forensic review of dismembered remains, it was confirmed that 10 people died in the collision. Duma confirmed the death toll after visiting the crash site, hospitals and mortuaries. He said poor visibility in the early hours of the morning contributed to confusion and an initial miscount of casualties at the scene. The devastating accident, involving a bus and a truck, occurred on the R34 near Vryheid in the early hours this morning. The EFF confirmed that the victims were members returning from the party's June 16 Youth Day rally in Umlazi. The party said it is working closely with authorities to identify the deceased and support affected families. According to the Department of Transport, the 10 deceased include seven males and three females. 'Thirty-three passengers sustained minor injuries and were able to walk, three were injured but not critically, and two are in critical condition. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to the Dundee Mortuary. Both the bus and truck drivers survived and are receiving medical attention in hospital,' says Duma. The Road Traffic Inspectorate and the SAPS is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. 'Conflicting survivor accounts have surfaced, with some alleging the bus driver attempted to overtake, while others claim he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. We do not want to speculate at this stage. We are confident the investigation will provide clarity,' Duma adds. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Confirmed: 10 fatalities in tragic R34 bus accident
Transport MEC Siboniso Duma confirms there were 10 fatalities – revised from 12 – from the tragic accident on the R34 between Vryheid and Ulundi early this morning (Tuesday). 'First and foremost, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this morning's horrific accident involving a truck and a bus on the R34, Vryheid,' said Duma, after visiting the scene. 'I have also personally conveyed our sympathies to Marshall Dlamini, the secretary-general of the EFF. Innocent lives have been lost, and the lives of many families have been altered and turned upside down.' Duma said he inspected the scene of the accident, witnessing the trail of destruction left behind. 'Reduced visibility in the early hours of the morning and dismembered body parts resulted in miscalculation by RTI and emergency personnel,' said Duma. After Duma's interaction with Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and SAPS, the following was confirmed: 10 dead – 3 women and 7 men; 33 victims able to walk; 33 injured but not critical; two critical. 'We have visited mortuaries and hospitals. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to Dundee Mortuary. The truck and bus drivers are alive and in hospitals.' Investigation Duma said the SAPS and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) will conduct a comprehensive investigation to establish the cause of the accident, having received conflicting versions about what happened from the survivors. 'There are allegations that the bus driver tried to overtake. Other survivors have alleged that the bus driver fell asleep at the wheel. We do not want to speculate at this stage. We are confident that the investigation will shed light. 'We have in the past expressed our concerns about accidents involving trucks. Trucks are not supposed to be on this road in the first place and should be using the N2. Many innocent lives have been lost as a result of a huge number of trucks on our roads. 'We have been informed by Transnet that in the 2024 financial year, over 303 000 trucks used the Port of Richards Bay, averaging nearly 6 000 per week. It has been stated that the port's infrastructure was originally designed for a much smaller volume of trucks, approximately 200 per day. 'We continue to receive briefings from Transport Minister Barbra Creecy about efforts to resuscitate the rail network. Working with national government, we are doubling our efforts to ensure we strengthen plans to move cargo from road to rail,' said Duma. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
