Johannesburg – A horrific bus accident on the R21 northbound near OR Tambo International Airport has claimed the lives of 16 people, leaving dozens injured and a community in mourning. The tragedy, which occurred early Tuesday morning, has sparked outrage and prompted investigations into the cause, with survivors alleging that the driver was speeding.
The bus, transporting workers from Katlehong to Kempton Park, reportedly jackknifed and rolled several times before coming to rest on its side. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they were confronted with a scene of utter devastation.
Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services spokesperson William Tladi described the grim discovery: "We checked the victims on the scene and discovered that the 12 deceased had died on the scene." The death toll has since risen to 16, with four more succumbing to their injuries in hospital.
Adding to the horror, emergency management spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni municipality, William Ntladi, reported that two bodies were trapped in the wreckage, hindering rescue efforts. Handbags, a lunch box, and a water bottle lay scattered among the debris, poignant reminders of the lives so suddenly cut short.
"On arrival we found patients lying across the road," Ntladi said, painting a picture of the chaos and carnage that unfolded.
The injured, numbering 45, were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals, including Tembisa, Edenvale, and Tambo Memorial hospitals, where they are receiving urgent medical care.
Ekurhuleni Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Andile Mngwevu, expressed his devastation at the scene: "When we arrived on the scene, we were told by officials that 12 people had died. We are lost for words. This is a disaster. To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the City really feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy right now."
While officials initially ruled out overloading as a contributing factor, citing that the bus was within its required passenger capacity, a chilling narrative began to emerge from survivors.
"The people that saw say the driver was speeding and a car that was driving slowly tried to cut in, in front of it. The driver tried to overtake but the bus lost control. This is the bus I take every day. I always complain that the driver is speeding," one commuter recounted, speaking of the driver's alleged recklessness.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation's Simon Zwane confirmed that these allegations are being taken seriously and are part of the ongoing investigation. "Once the bus has been taken, we do full mechanical investigation of vehicles to see whether the vehicles were roadworthy and investigating the speeds and any other factor than can help us understand what the main cause of the crash was," Zwane stated.
The accident has prompted strong reactions from government officials, with South African Transport Minister Barbra Creecy expressing her "extreme concern" over the frequency of serious bus accidents in recent weeks. She has instructed the Road Traffic Management Corporation to meet with all bus operators in the coming week to discuss ways to improve passenger safety.
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza assured the public that the City is providing support to the affected families and is committed to a thorough investigation. "We have a coordinated approach to support the operations that are happening here, and also the families. We will get the final report and ensure that there is accountability, and that if there were shortcomings, we address those shortcomings," Xhakaza said. He also stated that the bus, which belonged to the City, was in good condition and was following its usual route.
The fatal accident follows another in Ekurhuleni on Monday that claimed the lives of four primary school learners, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
This tragedy is the latest in a string of devastating bus accidents across South Africa. Just days earlier, on Sunday afternoon, nine churchgoers, including a four-year-old child, lost their lives in a bus accident on the N2 between Richards Bay and Shaka's Kraal in KwaZulu-Natal. The Road Traffic Management reported that a tyre failure caused the driver to lose control, sending the bus through a crash barrier, down an embankment, and ultimately overturning. Last week, ten people were killed in a collision between a bus and a truck in the Free State, further underscoring the perilous state of road safety in the country.
