Nine ANC supporters killed in KZN bus crash after attending election manifesto launch

At least nine ANC supporters have died and others are in critical condition after the bus they were travelling in crashed on the R33 near Dumbe, Paulpietersburg, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, early on Sunday morning. 

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport confirmed that the accident occurred at about 5am. The bus was travelling back from the launch of the ANC’s election manifesto at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. 

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“The law enforcement team on the scene has so far confirmed nine fatalities. However, they have not concluded the full recovery of the bus at the accident scene,” the department said in a statement.

“Scores of other occupants sustained injuries, with four being more critical. They have all been taken to a local hospital.”

The cause of the accident was being investigated, and experts would be deployed to help with the forensic investigation.

KZN MEC for transport, community safety and liaison Sipho Hlomuka expressed his condolences to all the affected families.

“After such a hugely successful rally in Moses Mabhida, we are now waking up to such painful news. We have, however, already deployed a team on the scene that is already at work with all law enforcement agencies. The investigation has already started, and we are already in touch with the bus owner. Our investigation is looking at the condition of the road, condition of the bus, weather during the time of the accident, and the condition of the driver,” he said.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to all the affected families and speedy recovery to all those who sustained injuries.”

The ANC said it was shocked by the news of the crash. National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the KZN health MEC and deputy chairperson of the ANC in the province, Nomagugu Simelane, along with other party leaders in KZN and Mpumalanga, were en route to the scene of the accident and the hospitals “where they will assess the situation, visit the injured comrades and meet with the families affected”.

The African National Congress (ANC) has received with profound shock the news of the untimely passing of our members from Mpumalanga Province. Tragically, our comrades were involved in a bus accident in Dumbe, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of the morning while returning from… pic.twitter.com/qVcSfYK1jg

— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 25, 2024